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This episode is a special partnership with BOSS. Special episode recorded during Miami Basel week, December 2025. #ADRussell & Robert catch up with Marco Falcioni, Creative Director of HUGO BOSS. We discuss the Art Basel Awards which BOSS have been partnering with.The BOSS AWARD for Outstanding Achievement was presented at Art Basel Miami Beach to Meriam Bennani for her work entitled “For My Best Family.”The BOSS AWARD for Outstanding Achievement celebrates work that embodies the BOSS values of boldness, personal authenticity, ambition, and responsibility. It honors a singular work, produced within the last 18 months, that has catalyzed change at the intersection of art, technological innovation, social dialogue, and identity. Moroccan-born and New York-based, Meriam Bennani uses a broad range of artistic mediums that include video, sound, animation, sculpture as well as large-scale installations, among others. She's known for mixing humor, pop-cultural aesthetics and digital language in her storytelling to create immersive, playful yet critical pieces that resonate with the viewer. The BOSS AWARD for Outstanding Achievement has a prize of US$100,000 and empowers the awardee to amplify voices beyond their own, allowing them to allocate a reward of US$50,000 to a community or cause of the artist's choosing. The remaining US$50,000 will be invested in a project, commission, or cultural activation by the artist that will be co-developed with BOSS.Introduced earlier this year in May, the Art Basel Awards recognized 36 Medalists across nine categories within the contemporary art world. These categories included iconic, established, and emerging artists, as well as cross-disciplinary creators, curators, institutions, patrons, media and storytellers, and allies shaping the future of cutting-edge artistry. Through a peer-driven process, the Medalists then selected 12 Gold Medalists from among their ranks, who were honored with the highest distinction at last night's ceremony.BOSS has supported art for 30 years and is known for timeless and sophisticated style, and commitment to culture, sport and sustainability, underpinned by technical innovations developed over its century-long history. Russell explores his inspirations and design approach, including runway collections, collaborations with David Beckham, Aston Martin, and reimagining classics with a modern twist.Follow @FalcioniMarco and @BOSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In today's episode, We're talking with Joanne Mumbey, a rising voice in beer education and beer and food pairing. Joanne is a Certified Cicerone and, newly as of this month, a certified pommelier, and she's the founder of BeyLoved Pairings, through which she leads curated beer and food pairings that go beyond the European cuisines that are typically found at beer dinners to incorporate food traditions from around the world, including Moroccan, Viet-Cajun, and various traditions from around the Caribbean, among others. Joanne and I talk about the spirit behind her pairings and the importance of storytelling. We also taste some craft chocolate and beer and chocolate pairings. You can learn more about Joanne at her website or on Instagram.Guest:Joanne Mumbey, founder of BeyLoved Pairings, is a Certified Cicerone®, Certified Pommelier, and Culinary Dietitian selected for Wine Enthusiast's Future Forty Tastemakers for 2025. Originally from Uganda, Joanne's global upbringing exposed her to diverse international cuisines through her parents' work, sparking a lifelong curiosity for flavors from around the world. This passion led her to Johnson & Wales University's Culinary School, where she discovered her love for craft beer. However, she noticed that most beer and food pairings focused predominantly on European cuisine, overlooking the rich flavors of other culinary traditions. Driven by this gap in the industry, Joanne created BeyLoved Pairings to celebrate and showcase diverse flavors that are close to her heart but often underrepresented in traditional beer pairing experiences. Check out David's book Pairing Beer & Chocolate: A Guide to Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together.Follow Bean to Barstool on social media!InstagramFacebookPinterestSign up for host David Nilsen's beer newsletter for regular beer musings, and the Bean to Barstool newsletter for pairings, collaborations, and maker profiles.
You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Food Travel in Morocco: What to Order When You Visit"Dig in with us to this fun conversation that provides a great overview of Moroccan gastronomy and its cultural importance.Azdean and producer Ted take a look at some of the popular dishes you'll find in Morocco, some you've probably heard of, and others which might be less familiar, but that you'll discover quickly once you arrive.This episode is another one which is a bit easier to follow in video form, where you can see the various dishes we're talking about, so hop over to our YouTube channel if you can. But if you're busy driving or jogging, you can still listen along and get the backstories and descriptions!There's tagine and couscous of course, but Azdean describes the different types of each that you can find, and also shows us the essential spices that define Moroccan cooking. We learn about Harira, the traditional soup served during Ramadan, rich in flavor and ingredients. And how Moroccan cooking techniques emphasize marinating and slow cooking for flavor.Meanwhile, street food in Marrakesh has improved significantly and is now considered safe, especially in the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Questions about dietary restrictions? In this day and age, with tourism booming, restaurants are learning to accommodate different demands and requirements. You may have to call ahead, but these days you can find more and more choice.Food is always a popular topic around here, but it's been a while since we devoted an entire episode to exploring it, so we're excited to share these mouth-watering ideas with you!Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!
He is the shot-stopper who smiles in the face of pressure. In this episode, we dive into the career of Yassine "Bono" Bounou, the Moroccan icon who redefined what it means to be a big-game player. We trace his journey from the streets of Casablanca to his historic Zamora Trophy win at Sevilla and his penalty shootout heroics that captivated the world at the 2022 World Cup. Plus, we analyze his dominance in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal, breaking down the modern skillset—from elite distribution to lightning reflexes—that makes him one of the most feared and respected goalkeepers of his generation. Yassine Bounou, Al Hilal, Morocco World Cup, Sevilla FC, goalkeeper analysis
After winning the 2024 Tour Divide, Salsa Cycles' Meaghan Hackinen set her sights on the three-part Mountain Race Series that spans Africa, Europe, and Asia. Meaghan not only became the first female finisher of the wildest race series on the planet, but she also won both the Hellenic in Greece and arguably the most remote and challenging event of all, the Silk Road Mountain Race that travels through the isolated mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Today's episode sees Meaghan explain the challenges of tackling the most difficult ultra series out there, from logistical concerns to trouble at armed border crossings, from sleeping at elevation to wading through dangerous rivers, and how her bike setup evolved from being rigid with a drop handlebar to using a suspension fork and taking a more mountain bike-esqe approach. See the latest from Meaghan Hackinen: https://meaghanhackinen.com/ See the latest from Velo: velo.outsideonline.com/featured See prior episodes of the Velo Podcast: velo.outsideonline.com/tag/velo-podcast
This week we look back at the CAF Women's Champions League, as AS FAR of Morocco won a second title.We also assess the 48-team FIFA Under-17 Men's World Cup, as the African teams put up a good showing.We look at the ins and outs of Arsenal ending their eight-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.And we talk about schools football, as qualifiers for the fourth edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship are underway, and we hear from CAF president Patrice Motsepe.Plus Stuart on the EPL.
Author and Mishpacha magazine writer Barbara Bensoussan is featured on this encore episode of “613 Books” podcast, discussing her mystery, “Seven Blessings and a Murder.” This is a thrilling novel featuring a colorful assortment of family members from England, France, and the U.S. who converge in Jerusalem for the wedding. Some of the relatives are devoutly religious and some are casually traditional. Some are wealthy, and some are cash-strapped. Some have Moroccan family roots, some with Syrian roots. Despite the inevitable clashes of culture, the wedding goes off in picture-perfect style. And then, the unthinkable happens. A family member turns up dead, under suspicious circumstances. The celebration turns into a crime scene! Talk about ‘Whodunit!' SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and discover new books every week! = = = Show notes: Featured Guest Interview: Barbara Bensoussan Featured Book: Seven Blessings and a Murder To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Blessings-Murder-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/B0DGGBBHHY Contact Barbara through her website: https://barbarabensoussan.com/ Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger Michael's contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/ SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
On this episode of Big Blend Radio's Global Adventures with Debbie Stone, we celebrate an exciting milestone — the launch of Debbie's brand-new Global Adventures Digital Magazine, where each podcast episode now integrates with her immersive travel stories and photography. This week, Debbie takes listeners on a dazzling journey through Morocco, based on her recent private tour with Wilderness Travel. From the Imperial cities of Rabat and Fez to the sweeping sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, Debbie recounts “pinch-me” moments filled with history, culture, culinary discoveries, and the genuine warmth of Moroccan hospitality. She also shares smart travel tips, insights into local customs, and stories from unique accommodations that elevated her Moroccan adventure into something extraordinary.
What if the part of you that feels hidden, the power, the clarity, the truth of who you really are, wasn't something you had to search for, but something waiting for you to return to it?In today's episode, Ashley sits down with Kawtar, a generational healer, author, intuitive guide, and the visionary behind the transformational I AM methodology. Known for her rare ability to identify energetic blockages, money wounds, patterns of self-sabotage, and buried trauma, often without a single word spoken, Kawtar helps people rapidly release what isn't theirs and reconnect to the identity they were always meant to live from.From her early intuitive abilities and the wisdom passed down from her Moroccan grandmother, to her years as a ballet dancer, firefighter, Reiki Master Teacher, and energy alchemist, Kawtar's journey is a beautiful reminder that our gifts are never random — they're remembered. Today, she works with teens, athletes, parents, and high performers through subconscious recalibration, TrackBack Therapy, the 5 Senses Method, and her signature I AM healing sessions.Tune in to Episode 293 of Uncover Your Magic to explore how Kawtar sees the truth beneath the surface, how she helps clients shift timelines, and why reconnecting to your I AM changes everything. You'll hear about healing generational patterns, dissolving money blocks, and the miraculous transformation Ashley has already witnessed in her own daughters. Additionally, Kawtar shares the magic behind her book series, her Christmas traditions, and the retreat she and Ashley are co-creating.May this episode remind you that your identity is not something to earn — it's something to return to. Your I AM is always calling you home.Episode Takeaways (timestamps)00:12 – The moment Kawtar realized she could see truth, energy, and people's stories00:28 – How generational trauma forms energetic blocks and how the I AM heals them00:43 – Kawtar's process for distance healing, cord cutting, and subconscious recalibration00:59 – Understanding money wounds, energetic programming, and receiving01:16 – How self-worth shapes timelines, relationships, and personal magicResources:Connect with Kawtar: Website • Instagram Book: Returning to Your I AM (available on Amazon)Connect with Ashley: Website • Instagram • FacebookYour Next Move: Subscribe to Uncover Your Magic PodcastShare with a Friend: Simply forward this episode - it's that easy, or tag them on socialFree Gift: Download your Easy Magical Morning Routine for Busy People Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are the foods in your trolley really Australian owned, and should you be worried about MSG or that 2-kilo overnight weight jump after a salty meal? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell unpack how to support Aussie-owned brands, the real story on MSG, and why salt can make the scales jump without you gaining body fat. In this episode, we cover: The Aussie-owned supermarket brands worth supporting Why there are so few 100% Australian-owned and operated food companies on our shelves The big-name Aussie brands Leanne and Susie actually buy, including cereals, dairy, oils, snacks and condiments How Australian ownership, local jobs and higher ingredient standards often translate to better nutritional quality Fun facts about Sanitarium’s not-for-profit structure and SPC as the last remaining Australian-owned fruit and veg processor Smaller state-based dairies and boutique brands to look out for in your local supermarket MSG: what the science says vs what social media says What MSG actually is, how it’s made, and why glutamate naturally occurs in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese How to spot MSG and other flavour enhancers on labels (621, 635 and friends) Why major health bodies consider MSG safe at normal intakes, and why “Chinese restaurant syndrome” hasn’t held up in blinded trials The real issue: ultra-processed, highly flavoured snacks that drive overeating, especially in kids Common supermarket foods that still contain flavour enhancers, and how to choose plainer, less “more-ish” options instead Product Spotlight: the Moroccan tomato dip Leanne and Susie love A deep dive on Tahini Miri Moroccan Matbucha, a chunky tomato-based dip with 87% tomatoes Why the ingredient list is so impressive compared to most dips in the fridge section How to use it: on veggie sticks, crackers, omelettes, eggs, sourdough or as a salsa-style base for quick meals Why cooked tomato products are a great way to boost lycopene and plant intake, especially during party season Salt, fluid retention and “overnight” weight gain The recommended daily sodium and salt limits for healthy adults, and how much Australians are actually having Why your weight can jump 1–2 kilos after a salty meal or takeaway, even if you’ve been eating well Who genuinely needs to watch salt more closely (e.g. high blood pressure, kidney or fluid issues) and who doesn’t need to stress over a pinch in home cooking Simple label-reading rules: what counts as low, moderate and high sodium per serve Practical ways to cut back on salt without eating bland food, using herbs, spices and smarter product choices How to keep party-season canapés, chips and takeaway in check without feeling deprived Plus How Leanne and Susie think about “supporting local” in a realistic, supermarket-based way Why choosing more minimally processed options automatically helps with both salt and additive intake Reassurance that balance matters more than perfection when it comes to salt, MSG and processed foods If your goal is to shop more consciously, support local brands, and stop panicking about every ingredient on the label, this episode will give you a clear, calm roadmap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you looking for new ways to use seasonal produce in salads you'll actually crave? What if they could be meal prep-friendly? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you!By the end of this episode, you'll want to try make-ahead and entertaining-friendly salads, including a vibrant one with Napa cabbage. You'll also discover a tried and true recipe for a classic French chicken liver pâté that's perfect for parties and date nights.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links:Chicken-liver pâté by Javier Huerta adapted by Sam Sifton for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Sonya's salads: Fennel, apple and pomegranate salad, coleslaw, a Moroccan carrot salad similar to the one from the workshop, and you can find the zucchini, za'atar, quinoa salad in Sonya's cookbook: Braids Canelle Vanille's Purple Napa Cabbage Salad that inspired Kari's, which she made with orange bell pepper, shaved beet, celery, feta, and the champagne vinaigrette from her Nicoise Salad.Sonya's take on a purple Napa cabbage salad***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. You can also now find us on YouTube. We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!Looking for an in-person Food Friends experience? Book a farmers' market tour with Sonya in Portland, OR!
Episode 219: Moroccan Publishing, Cultural Decolonization, and the Book Revolution: The Souffles Experience, 1966-1971 During the 1960s and 1970s, Morocco was a center for the invention of cultural decolonization and a key site in the twentieth-century book revolution. A group of young poets, novelists, critics, painters, and photographers created a cluster of publications, whose centerpiece was the magazine Souffles, and linked their publishing projects to ideas about national cultural decolonization on a global scale. The magazines, paperbacks, chapbooks, and posters they made have loomed large in the landscapes of postcolonial francophone literature and Moroccan modernist art for nearly six decades. The Souffles story also highlights the key roles of print media and cultural institutions for mid-twentieth-century discussions about the end of empire. Important and underexplored primary sources relating to these publishing projects exist in the collections of Moroccan libraries and booksellers. In this episode, Alexander Baert Young, Ph.D. candidate in history at Johns Hopkins University and 2023 AIMS/TALIM fellow, presents research he completed in Morocco during June-July 2023 at the Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc, in the library of the Ecole des Sciences de l'Information, and at used book dealers in Rabat and Tangier. Alexander Baert Young is a historian whose work connects book history, African history, and French history. As a Ph.D. candidate in the history department at Johns Hopkins University, Young is currently researching and writing his dissertation, “Africa's Book Revolution: Print Culture, Decolonization, and Development, 1954-1988,” a multi-site project that will tell the connected stories of African publishers, librarians, bibliographers, cultural development experts, and media theorists across Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, France, and beyond. His research draws on published paperbacks, little magazines, book fair catalogues, media studies and library science scholarship, and bibliographies, as well as archives of nation-states, international organizations, publishing companies, libraries, and writers. Young's work has received support from the American Institute for Maghrib Studies (including the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies and the Centre d'Etudes Maghrébines à Tunis), the Western Society for French History, and the Bourse Jeanne Marandon of the Société des Professeurs Français et Francophones d'Amérique. During June-July 2023, he conducted research in Morocco as an AIMS/TALIM fellow. To see related slides please visit our website: www.themagribpodcast.com Discover an other podcast by Alexander Baert Young: Episode 175: Tunisian Librarians and the Book History of African Decolonization, 1956-1988 This episode was recorded on July 19, 2023, at the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM). Recorded and edited by: Abdelbaar Mounadi Idrissi, Outreach Director at the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM).
This week we talk about Achraf Hakimi winning the African Footballer of the Year award, capping off an amazing year for the Moroccan star.We analyse the World Cup play-offs, as Nigeria miss out again and DR Congo make it to the inter-continental play-offs.We catch up on the Fifa U17 World Cup, and the CAF Women's Champions League in Egypt. Plus Stuart on the EPL, as Pep Guardiola reached 1000 games as a manager.
It's our start-gift: Claire Danes. Cursed cows, Moroccan cats, a Kentucky Schnoodle, and “very cute dirt.” It's another episode of ‘How To Remain Employed and Local,' also known (in some circles) as SmartLess. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week, we turn to Western Sahara, often referred to as the last colony in Africa and one of the most overlooked frontlines of imperial power. In the wake of the UN Security Council's 31 October resolution, which lends weight to Morocco's autonomy plan and extends the MINURSO mandate (which has been extended annually since 1991), we examine what this means for Sahrawi self-determination. This moment is especially significant because 6 November 2025 marks 50 years of Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara, and five decades that Sahrawis have lived in exile in refugee camps in Southwest Algeria.Our guest today is Sahrawi human rights activist and teacher Najla Mohamed-Lamin, who focuses on women's rights and environmental issues. She established the Almasar Library Centre, which educated women and children living in Sahrawi refugee camps about climate change. She speaks about life under exile and why Sahrawi resistance endures despite displacement, resource plunder, and global indifference.
We recommend also watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, in addition to listening to the audio version. Both episodes are only about 10 minutes long, and give you different perspectives on the information and stories.You can find the video here:"Rabat: Morocco's Dynamic Modern Capital"Today we are in Rabat, looking out over the ocean from the Kasbah Oudaya, at the edge of the old Medina. A beautiful site with beaches down below, and the river Oued Bou Regreg dividing the cities of Rabat and Salé. Despite being the capital, Rabat is sometimes overlooked on itineraries of Morocco, or at best given a sparse couple of hours to see the basic sights, before travelers carry on to perhaps Chefchaouen or Marrakech.But although it's only been Morocco's capital since 1912, the history here is dynamic and long-reaching.Our episode this week is essentially a set of companion episodes. There is the audio version, and also the video version, which you can watch on YouTube. Some of the dialogue and conversation overlaps, but the video will help fill you in on what Azdean and his guide for the day, Mr. Ali, are describing.The audio version meanwhile adds a little more history and context that was not captured in video. The episodes are short: roughly ten minutes each, so try listening/watching them back to back, and see how they compare! Our goal is to get you inspired to add more time in Rabat to your schedule, for a wonderful mix of history, wild seascapes and modern comforts.Find this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/0sJxv4B8TxI Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!
Ryan is a pop-rock artist whose music blends emotional honesty with classic rock inspiration. Raised in a musical household, he started performing as the drummer in a band with his sibling, touring the UK as a teen with the Euphoria. Influenced by legends such as Queen, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, he later fused that vintage energy with the edge of Muse, Green Day, Panic! At the Disco and My Chemical Romance. After struggling during the pandemic and entering rehab in 2021, songwriting became his lifeline. Now sober and thriving, Ryan is one semester away from graduating USC's Thornton School of Music and has grown a following of over 500,000 on TikTok with original songs and viral covers. With performances at venues like the Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go and the Moroccan, he continues to share music borne from personal struggle. For Ryan, "The Voice" is the next step to push himself and bring his story to a larger stage.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
They then pivot to Nick Cannon, where Mariah Carey’s daughter Monroe draws a clear line in the sand by saying she only has one brother—her twin Moroccan—despite Nick’s sprawling blended family of 12 kids. That conversation opens the door for a deeper, funny-but-real look at what it means to define “family” when there are lots of half-siblings, public baby announcements, and complicated co-parenting dynamics swirling around in the headlines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the spirit of more and more grocery chains requiring shopping cart deposits, Anna and guest host Chef Plum consider other potential new rules for stores! Special guest host Chef Plum, filling in during Raven's absence, just returned from a work trip to Morocco! Anna finds out all about his adventures to a Moroccan spice market! Are you up to date on this week's biggest news stories? Anna and Chef Plum catch you up on the trending news of the day! Today: the shutdown is over! Each year there are an estimated 350,000 injuries of varying degrees during Thanksgiving! Anna finds out if Chef Plum, a professional, can name the common household mistakes! A recent study showed the best way to deter seagulls from stealing food, and Anna & Chef Plum discuss strategies for other animal encounters! Every week, Producer Justin presents Student Teacher News, where he selects a topic of interest to educate Anna & Raven (and Chef Plum)! Today: a fond farewell to an everyday object! Anna found out that kids ask, on average, 42 questions a day, no matter the age! She and Chef Plum hear all sorts of funny/serious/bizarre questions! Anna has scoured the internet for Chef Plum's various TV appearances! Some are amazing for the best reasons, and some are amazing for other, funnier reasons! When were you on TV? What happened? Couples Court – Darren is upset that his wife, Violet, is constantly on her phone when they're watching their shows together. They have a few shows that they only watch together and lately, she's been on her cell phone answering emails and scrolling while they're watching. He says it's rude since this is essentially their “date”. She says that he needs to relax, she's watching too, but she's just juggling her work emails and sometimes she can scroll simultaneously, it's no big deal! What do you think? Heads Up! – Irma has a chance to win a Target gift card just in time for the holidays! She will team up with Chef Plum in a lightning round of holiday pie Q&A!
"You Are Welcome": One Woman's Experience with Solo Travel, Food Adventures, and the Kindness of Strangers | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description What actually happens when you travel the world alone—on purpose? In this warm, high-signal episode, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with a dear friend, a seasoned solo traveler who's collected stories from San Francisco to Morocco, Palau, Vietnam, and Greece. You'll hear how one spontaneous weekend changed everything, why a great meal can open doors, and how culture, safety, and serendipity weave together when you give yourself permission to go. She shares her simple starter plan for first-time solo travelers, the "prop" that makes dining alone easier, and the mindset that turns awkward moments into invitations. From sharing a table with strangers who became friends to a full picnic waiting atop an Atlas Mountain summit, this conversation is a reminder that most people, most places, are better than the headlines. As one Moroccan shopkeeper told her: "You are welcome."
In a week where:Zohran Mamdani wins the NYC Mayoral race.Tesla shareholders agree to give Elon Musk a $1T pay package.ITV are in talks with Sky over a £1.6B sale.Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to be released from prison.COP30 in Brazil begins.In Politics: (15:08) That's MAYOR Mamdani to you! After Zohran Mamdani's NYC Mayor win, what does this mean in for the prospect of a true Left growing in the US and across the world? (Article By Michael Kinnucan)In Society: (25:44) The Moroccan government are arresting their young people after the zenith of the "Gen Z 212" movement, sending many families into a state of fear for their children. (Article By Imane Bellamine)In Media: (39:36) The BBC was used as a political tool for the Tories when they were in power. Now - after all that capitulating - the right is turning the screw onto The Beeb. Good luck getting Kier Starmer to fix it. (Article By Adam Bienkov)Lastly, In Music: (52:37) A little retrospective on 90s R&B, how it changed the game and what Contemporary R&B has built on the foundation the 90s built. (Article By Yannise Jean)Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://the5thelement.co.ukPhotography: https://www.crt.photographyIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence
The Rebbe blesses success for the new Moroccan students and emphasizes that the scribes are full Talmidei Tomchei Tmimim, learning Nigleh, Chassidus, and davening alongside their sacred craft. Those chosen for this holy work—writing tefillin and mezuzos—bring great merit to the many. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/002/5832
Fossil-fueled climate disruption is driving political instability around the world. The relationship between climate disasters and conflict are well-established — and also complicated. Even in war-torn regions like Israel and Palestine, people work across political and ethnic divides to address humanitarian and climate crises. The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies has helped bring together Israelis, Palestinians, Moroccans, and Jordanians to study and tackle shared environmental challenges. How does climate disruption reshape cross-border relations? And can climate cooperation become a force for peace? Episode Guests: Peter Schwartzstein, Environmental Journalist; Climate Security Researcher Fareed Mahameed, Assistant Director, Center for Transboundary Water Management, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies Liana Berlin-Fischler, Associate Director, Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies For show notes and related links, visit ClimateOne.org. Highlights: 12:42 Peter Schwartzstein on seeing the link between climate and violence 21:02 Peter Schwartzstein on the importance of governance 22:56 Peter Schwartzstein on better governance examples 27:17 Peter Schwartzstein on the danger of climate induced violence in the US 31:13 Peter Schwartzstein on new paths for cooperation 36:49 Liana Berlin-Fischler on moving to Israel 37:59 Fareed Mahameed on “fixing the world” 42:16 Fareed Mahameed on being compelled to help 47:05 Fareed Mahameed on figuring out what a community needs most 51:30 Liana Berlin-Fischler on the Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza project Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fossil-fueled climate disruption is driving political instability around the world. The relationship between climate disasters and conflict are well-established — and also complicated. Even in war-torn regions like Israel and Palestine, people work across political and ethnic divides to address humanitarian and climate crises. The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies has helped bring together Israelis, Palestinians, Moroccans, and Jordanians to study and tackle shared environmental challenges. How does climate disruption reshape cross-border relations? And can climate cooperation become a force for peace? Episode Guests: Peter Schwartzstein, Environmental Journalist; Climate Security Researcher Fareed Mahameed, Assistant Director, Center for Transboundary Water Management, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies Liana Berlin-Fischler, Associate Director, Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies For show notes and related links, visit ClimateOne.org. Highlights: 12:42 Peter Schwartzstein on seeing the link between climate and violence 21:02 Peter Schwartzstein on the importance of governance 22:56 Peter Schwartzstein on better governance examples 27:17 Peter Schwartzstein on the danger of climate induced violence in the US 31:13 Peter Schwartzstein on new paths for cooperation 36:49 Liana Berlin-Fischler on moving to Israel 37:59 Fareed Mahameed on “fixing the world” 42:16 Fareed Mahameed on being compelled to help 47:05 Fareed Mahameed on figuring out what a community needs most 51:30 Liana Berlin-Fischler on the Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza project ***** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!What if your training career wasn't limited by a sales quota or a noisy gym floor? We sit down with Moroccan coach Abdul Jalil Guemra to map his leap into a five-star medical spa where fitness coaches work alongside doctors, physical therapists, and dietitians to design true longevity programs.Abdul pulls back the curtain on a model that starts with comprehensive consults and flows into personalized plans built on five pillars: metabolic function, nutrition and diet, sleep and recovery, physical fitness, and stress management. You'll hear how each guest gets a tailored path—whether that means more structured recovery and performance work for athletes or deeper focus on sleep, stress, and nutrition for high-burnout executives. The result is a collaborative system where coaches stay within scope, clinicians lead diagnosis and treatment, and clients see measurable, life-changing progress.We also dig into the career skills that actually win elite roles. Abdul credits mentorship and internship-style training for giving him the confidence to communicate with clinicians and the judgment to know when to refer. He makes a strong case that soft skills—presence, listening, hospitality—separate great coaches from the pack, especially in luxury wellness environments. And he breaks down how the resort's business model removes sales pressure, allowing coaches to focus on delivery, service quality, and outcomes that go beyond PRs to include better sleep, lower stress, and stronger daily function.If you're a trainer aiming for a high-end or clinical setting, you'll leave with a clear playbook: invest in real mentorship, master scope, and treat communication as a core skill. Enjoy the conversation, share it with a coach who needs a nudge, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a quick review so we can keep bringing you practical, career-changing insights.Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Our Instagram: Show Up Fitness CPT TikTok: Show Up Fitness CPT Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com/collections/nasm
In this episode we welcome two remarkable newcomers to the Ojai, California community: Susanne Chess and Bob Evans. Susanne, a founding member of Tiabzu LLC (based in Ojai) whose mission is to reinvent desalination through modular, deep-sea-inspired reverse-osmosis systems that dramatically reduce energy demand and harm to marine ecosystems. Tiabzu+2Tiabzu+2 Bob is a visionary ocean-entrepreneur, artist and photographer who has logged over 5,000 hours underwater, documented offshore oil-platform ecosystems and now explores how those very structures can be re-envisioned. bobevansphotography.comWe dig into the enduring charms and layered history of Ojai — its origins in the Chumash word 'awha'y, the transformation from orange orchards to boutique valley community and the pull of places like Wheeler Hot Springs as a local retreat.We also explore the cutting-edge frontiers: Susanne's work at Tiabzu, using subsea-oil & gas tech to make fresh water more sustainably. And Bob's unique vantage: underwater photography, marine stewardship, and how coastal infrastructure might become underwater oases instead of rusty relics.We talked about Ojai's famous friendliness, the couple's other inventions such as aerodynamic pods that reduce gas mileage by hundreds of dollars per year (AeroHance.com), and Bart's Books and Barbara Bowman's. We did not talk about the lost civilization of Atlantis, Moroccan spice blends or Sigmund Freud's accomplished progeny.Whether you're drawn to the stillness of the valley, the deep blue below the waves, or the promise of innovation that cares for both — this conversation spans local place-making and global impact. Tune in.Check out https://tiabzu.com/ and https://bobevansphotography.com/bob-evans-visionary-entrepreneur-artist-photographer/ for more information.
Siham LahmineOwner & Cultural Curator, Morocco's First Local >> Woman-Owned Culinary & Luxury Heritage ToursMorocco Travel Organizerhttps://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/siham-lahmineSiham Lahmine is the mastermind behind Morocco Travel Organizer. Recognized for her talents in luxury bespoke travel experiences, she creates fully immersive tours showcasing Morocco's highlights, cultural richness, and culinary delights. As a local expert, she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to exploring the country's uniqueness.Siham Lamine is a leading Moroccan cuisine expert with over 10 years of experience leading culinary adventures across Morocco and Fes. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of the country's culinary heritage and traditions, allowing you to experience them through her in-depth and immersive tours. Additionally, Ms. Lahmine brings travelers on a historic food journey across the Medina's souks. Finally, she has hosted renowned Chef Ainsley Harriot known for his BBC cooking game shows Can't Cook, Won't Cook, and Ready, Steady, Cook among other famous names.summaryIn this episode, Jason Elkins speaks with Siham Lahmine, a cultural curator and owner of Morocco Travel Organizer. They discuss the unique challenges faced by women in the Moroccan tourism industry, the cultural significance of food in Moroccan society, and Siham's personal journey from a passion for food to establishing her own culinary tourism business. The conversation delves into the importance of community, family influence, and the stories behind Moroccan cuisine, as well as the realities of working in tourism and advice for aspiring professionals.takeawaysSiham is the owner of Morocco Travel Organizer, focusing on culinary and luxury heritage tours.Women in Morocco face unique challenges in the tourism industry, often dominated by men.Culinary experiences are a way to share Moroccan culture and heritage.Food is a central part of Moroccan identity and community bonding.Siham's passion for food was influenced by her family, especially her mother and grandmother.Travelers appreciate learning about food stories and cultural rituals during tours.Traditional Moroccan dishes require time and effort to prepare, reflecting love and care.Siham emphasizes the importance of personality over formal tourism education in the industry.The role of women in tourism is evolving, but cultural expectations still pose challenges.Siham encourages aspiring tourism professionals to experience the industry before committing to it. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
Moroccan Chicken Tajine (Tagine) is a flavor filled excursion to North Africa. The chicken is seasoned with a variety of spices and then topped with green olives and preserved lemons for an incredibly rich flavor. Served over couscous it's a thing of beauty. Enjoy!Written RecipeHosted by Mary Mac, edited by Anna MacGo to MaryMacPodcast.com for baking mixes, merch, recipes, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "A Couple's Guide to Romantic Morocco"Our episode this week puts specific focus on the Moroccan experience for couples: whether you're on your honeymoon, a vacation or maybe even planning to elope, Morocco is truly one of the world's great romantic destinations. Morocco was in fact ranked number one in 2022 for destination weddings.You've seen the stunning photos of luxurious accommodation, desert camps and delicate architecture. Now Azdean and producer Ted help fill in the gaps on things like what riads are really like, how to reserve a private dining experience, and how hammams work.Riads offer a unique and intimate experience for couples, similar to a bed & breakfast but with even more space, dining options and luxury. You'll learn how to request a private dining experience at your riad, while making the most of other opportunities to get to know your fellow guests, b&b-style.Hammams are the traditional Moroccan baths that provide a unique cultural experience. Azdean explains the difference between a spa and a hammam, how long the process takes and the best time of day to go.Fes is known for its unique jewelry, making it a great shopping destination for couples to find gifts that last a lifetime.A good tour company will make sure you have everything you need for a private dining experience in the desert, such as in Merzouga, where you can't buy wine or other supplies just around the corner. It has to be planned ahead of time, but your guide will make sure it's taken care of, and that you have a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.And, Morocco is more accessible for North Americans than often perceived, just a short flight across the Atlantic, and often a direct one if you're coming from a hub like New York, Washington DC or Montréal.Morocco has tremendous appeal as a honeymoon, wedding or romantic destination, and if you haven't already, we encourage you to consider it for your next romantic getaway! Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!
In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Intissar Fakir to discuss Morocco's recent "GenZ 212" protest movement, which gripped multiple cities around the country for weeks. What prompted young Moroccans to take to the streets? Fakir breaks down the underlying drivers, protesters' demands, and the government's response. The conversation then delves more deeply into Morocco's rising generation and how it perceives its future prospects. Finally, the discussion explores the possible longer-term political impact of the demonstrations, especially with an eye to next year's elections. Recorded on October 29, 2025. Read Intissar Fakir's analysis of the protests in Morocco here.
French tomato producers are seeing red, angry at what they believe is unfair competition from Morocco. In one of the most arid parts of the North African country, thousands of workers pick tomatoes that will eventually be sold to French supermarkets for just 99 cents a basket – that's two to three times cheaper than French tomatoes. But at what price? The Franco-Moroccan company Azura faces accusations of exploiting migrant workers on its ultra-modern farms. It opened its doors to our France 2 colleagues.
Have you ever wondered what it's really like to experience Morocco - including the medinas, the desert, and the Blue City - all in one trip? From camel rides in the Sahara to wandering the alleyways of Fez, this trip was all about embracing adventure, culture, and connection in one unforgettable journey. In this episode, Alex and Pam share how they explored Morocco on a whirlwind girls' trip using a mix of points, miles, and cash. Listen in to learn how to plan your own Moroccan adventure, from selecting riads and desert camps to understanding local customs and tipping etiquette. They share what surprised them most, which cities left the biggest impression, and how this trip proved that sometimes, the best use of points is creating once-in-a-lifetime memories. You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/152 Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/ The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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NAJ - ناج - YouTube NAJ: The Moroccan Sensation Taking the World by Storm with Her Hit ‘OULALA OUNTALA — La Vie En Rose A story of rhythm, roots, and a rising Moroccan voice uniting Africa through music In this exclusive episode, Hurricane H welcomes NAJ, the young Moroccan artist who's taking the world by storm with her electrifying blend of pop, R&B, electro, afro, Latin, and oriental influences. From her early days chasing melodies in Morocco to becoming a continental sensation, NAJ opens up about her journey, her challenges, and the vision that drives her. She shares how staying true to her roots helped her rise above barriers and carve out a sound that bridges cultures and generations. Her latest hit, “OULALA OUNTALA — La Vie En Rose,” is more than a song — it's a celebration of unity and African pride. Filmed across Senegal's most iconic landmarks — from the lively streets of Dakar to the symbolic Gorée Island, the natural beauty of Somone and the Bandia Safari, and crowned by the monumental Renaissance statue — the video pays homage to shared history, freedom, and creativity. NAJ also reveals what it meant to become the first Moroccan artist to shoot a music video of this magnitude in Dakar, collaborating with a local Senegalese dance troupe, Nigerian artist Pekeys, and the painter Amadou Nieng, who painted live throughout the shoot — turning music into a moving work of art. With over 6 million TikTok views, a partnership with ARCOL, and growing international acclaim, NAJ's success is no coincidence. It's the story of a fearless artist who dares to dream big, build bridges, and wear her colors with pride. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about art, culture, resilience, and the power of music to unite a continent. This is more than a song — it's a movement. #NAJ #OulalaOuntala #LaVieEnRose #HurricaneHShow #TheEMBCNetwork #iHealthRadio #TimeToEvolve #MoroccanArtist #MadeInMorocco #AfricanVibes #NorthMeetsWestAfrica #MoroccoToDakar #SenegalVibes #AfricanUnity #AfroFusion #PopRNB #AfroBeats #ElectroVibes #LatinPop #OrientalBeats #WorldMusic #NewMusic2025 #MusicWithoutBorders #WomenInMusic #RisingStar #DreamBigAfrica #CulturalPride #ArtMeetsMusic #BehindTheJourney #CreatorsOfAfrica #PodcastInterview #ViralArtist #GlobalSound #NextGenMusic #AFCON2025 #DakarShoot #MusicVideoRelease
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NAJ - ناج - YouTube NAJ: The Moroccan Sensation Taking the World by Storm with Her Hit ‘OULALA OUNTALA — La Vie En Rose A story of rhythm, roots, and a rising Moroccan voice uniting Africa through music In this exclusive episode, Hurricane H welcomes NAJ, the young Moroccan artist who's taking the world by storm with her electrifying blend of pop, R&B, electro, afro, Latin, and oriental influences. From her early days chasing melodies in Morocco to becoming a continental sensation, NAJ opens up about her journey, her challenges, and the vision that drives her. She shares how staying true to her roots helped her rise above barriers and carve out a sound that bridges cultures and generations. Her latest hit, “OULALA OUNTALA — La Vie En Rose,” is more than a song — it's a celebration of unity and African pride. Filmed across Senegal's most iconic landmarks — from the lively streets of Dakar to the symbolic Gorée Island, the natural beauty of Somone and the Bandia Safari, and crowned by the monumental Renaissance statue — the video pays homage to shared history, freedom, and creativity. NAJ also reveals what it meant to become the first Moroccan artist to shoot a music video of this magnitude in Dakar, collaborating with a local Senegalese dance troupe, Nigerian artist Pekeys, and the painter Amadou Nieng, who painted live throughout the shoot — turning music into a moving work of art. With over 6 million TikTok views, a partnership with ARCOL, and growing international acclaim, NAJ's success is no coincidence. It's the story of a fearless artist who dares to dream big, build bridges, and wear her colors with pride. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about art, culture, resilience, and the power of music to unite a continent. This is more than a song — it's a movement. #NAJ #OulalaOuntala #LaVieEnRose #HurricaneHShow #TheEMBCNetwork #iHealthRadio #TimeToEvolve #MoroccanArtist #MadeInMorocco #AfricanVibes #NorthMeetsWestAfrica #MoroccoToDakar #SenegalVibes #AfricanUnity #AfroFusion #PopRNB #AfroBeats #ElectroVibes #LatinPop #OrientalBeats #WorldMusic #NewMusic2025 #MusicWithoutBorders #WomenInMusic #RisingStar #DreamBigAfrica #CulturalPride #ArtMeetsMusic #BehindTheJourney #CreatorsOfAfrica #PodcastInterview #ViralArtist #GlobalSound #NextGenMusic #AFCON2025 #DakarShoot #MusicVideoRelease
Dr. Loubna Kfafi is a Moroccan aesthetic doctor specializing in medical lasers, anti-aging treatments, and nutrition. She operates a multidisciplinary clinic in Meknes, Morocco, offering services such as laser therapy, injections, lifting procedures, slimming treatments, and skincare. Dr. Kfafi is also a certified trainer in her field, providing educational resources and guidance to both clients and professionals. Her clinic emphasizes a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, integrating advanced aesthetic technologies with personalized care.#hikmatwehbipodcast #podcast#arabicpodcast #LoubnaKfafi#wstudiodxbحكمت_وهبي#حكمت_وهبي_بودكاست#
I travelled from Scotland to Morocco on holiday. As soon as I arrived I knew I needed to interview the locals. They were the most philosophical people I had met.Taghazout is a fascinating surf village perched on Morocco's Atlantic coast - sun-soaked, salt-stained, and full of surprises. We spent 2 days exploring this strange-and-beautiful place, and found way more than perfect waves: unexpected kindness, late-night tea rituals, and stories you won't hear in a guidebook…Support the showEarly access & bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjrFollow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjrBuy Merch: originstoryclub.co.uk
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new Amirtha Kidambi (Live); Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna (gnawa jazz); Baluchi trance/healing music from Abdulrahman Surizehi; Elmo Hope at Riker's; latter-day Art Blakey; Nuyorican salsa from Roberto Roena; Venezuelan salsa from Federico Betancourt; vintage Billy Harper; Simon Nabatov, Ed Schuller, John Betsch & Arto Tuncboyaci swing Latin; samba from Jovelina Perla Negra & Leci Brandão; Moroccan vocalist Latifa Raafat; also from Morocco: Lemchaheb; film music from Tahira Syed; new Henry Threadgill; new Mary Halvorson; raga from sarod player Ashoke Roy; much,. much, more.... Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN: https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580 Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere. Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online: PLAYLIST at SPINITRON: https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21356437/Conference-of-the-Birds and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/ Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks Find WRFI on Radio Garden: http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 163 - Iris Prize LGTBQ+ Film Festival - with Lewis Bayley In this special episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with Lewis Bayley, Industry Coordinator for the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Lewis invited us to speak with him about filmmaking earlier this year, and what you'll hear is that recorded conversation. We had the pleasure of discussing many topics with Lewis, such as the overall importance of film festivals and our longtime efforts giving back to younger generations of filmmakers. Additionally, we share a few work stories from our long careers, Roger gives a preview of what to expect in his upcoming memoir, Reflections, and James reveals the game she played with director Martin Scorsese while we were shooting KUNDUN in the Moroccan desert. The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is hosted annually in Cardiff, Wales with talks, panels, and screenings of shorts and features highlighting the myriad of experiences within the global LGBTQ+ community, and we were happy to be a small part of their 19th edition. - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm
We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:"Exploring the Remarkable Ruins of Volubilis"Scarcely a 30 minute drive north of Meknes are the Roman ruins of Volubilis one of the must-see highlights in Morocco. It is an easy day trip from Meknes, or even Fes, and well worth the stop. Volubilis is one of the most extensive and detailed Roman ruins outside of Europe, and was a major center in its own right from the 1st century AD until around 285, when it was captured by the local tribes. The city remained vibrant for centuries after, but by the 11th century, Volubilis was abandoned, although its structures remained quite intact. The infamous earthquake of 1755 put an end to that though, toppling most of what was left, with the stone and marble looted and taken to Meknes. Within 100 years, people have all but forgotten where Volubilis even was.Fortunately, archeologists rediscovered it in the late 19th century, and today Volubilis is an important site that gives a detailed glimpse into Roman life, 2000 years ago. When you visit, a local guide will be available to interpret the ruins, without whom you would only see stacks of rock and stones. Khalid was our guide in Volubilis, and he describes the architecture, mosaics, olive presses and more with fine detail and precision.Check out the video version of this episode to see fabulous views of Volubilis and the surrounding countryside, all interpreted by our expert guide: a snapshot of what you can expect when you come visit too!https://youtu.be/HnnIHY5880k Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!
I take you through the incredible story of Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan middle-distance legend who was virtually unbeatable for nearly four years, only to face heartbreaking defeats at the Atlanta Olympics. I walk through the agony of those losses, the silver medal at 1500 meters, and the mental and physical toll of carrying the expectations of millions while chasing perfection. We get into how he used that disappointment to fuel one of the most remarkable comebacks in track history, leading up to the 2004 Athens Olympics where he finally won the gold—and not just in the 1500, but also the 5,000 meters, a feat not accomplished in 80 years. I break down the races, the strategies, and the legendary final laps where El Guerrouj “floored the gas pedal” and ran splits that would have qualified in an Olympic 800 meters. I also reflect on what his story taught me about dealing with setbacks, staying focused, and turning misfortune into motivation, drawing parallels to challenges we all face in our own training and lives. Along the way, we touch on the evolution of running technology, the rise of super spikes, and why El Guerrouj’s records still stand as some of the most impressive in the sport. LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Hicham El Guerrouj Instagram We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri pops round to Grace's for a snack and a chat. Hackney born and bred, Fatiha is an east London girl through and through, but with her Muslim faith being a huge pillar of her life, and her parent's Moroccan heritage, Fatiha's standup covers everything from identity and culture, to the horrors of modern dating. But it was her recent stint as a contestant on Taskmaster Series 19 that has won Fatiha the hearts of fans up and down the country
From Nepal to Peru to Morocco, Gen Z'ers are rising up – and yes, they are connected. In September 2025, 8 women died in childbirth in an badly funded hospital in the southern coastal city of Agadir. This sparked outrage, especially since Morocco is currently investing millions if not billions in building stadiums and arenas for the upcoming football World Cup. The climate crisis and the genocide in Gaza also play into this popular eruption. Tahani Brahma is a Moroccan human rights activist and was kind enough to speak to us to explain what is going on.Cover photo: Christine Leuhusen. To support us, go to patreon.com/kalampodcastFollow us on Instagram @kalampodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Morocco's theocratic monarchy claims to protect free expression, yet an activist faces jail time and denial of cancer treatment because she wore a t-shirt that said, "Allah is lesbian". This glaring contradiction exposes how religious authority uses caveats in the law to maintain control, proving that freedom of expression means nothing if the "right to offend" is stripped away. Her heroism in pointing out the system's flaws shows that where laws are unjust, speaking out is a duty, regardless of the staggering personal cost. News Source: Moroccan woman on trial for blasphemy after wearing a shirt to that challenged religious authority By Akram Ubashir for Religious News Service August 28th, 2025
Today we speak to two anon members of the Moroccan guerrilla filmmaker collective Cadre Cagoule. They talk to us about the "Gen Z uprising" in Morocco and how the state is trying to accuse protester of violence as they shoot them dead. https://www.instagram.com/cadre.cagoule No ads and tons of exclusives: patreon.com/popularfront Discounted 50% off the best internet privacy for all our listeners: proton.me/popularfront - Info: www.popularfront.co - Merch: www.popularfront.shop - News: www.instagram.com/popular.front - Jake: www.jakehanrahan.com
In 1993, French engineer Émile Leray's Citroën 2CV broke down in the middle of the Moroccan desert. Stranded without any way to call for help, he dismantled the vehicle and rebuilt it into a working motorcycle. For twelve days and nights he lived in the stripped shell of the car and ate what rations he had while piecing the machine together- to attempt to ride it back to civilization and save himself. Thank you, everyone, for the love you have shown us and Marooned over the past two years. We really appreciate it. - Aaron & Jack Emile's website sahara-overland.com Forum with linked articles and information Adam and Jamie Transform a Deux-Chevaux Into a Motorcycle! | MythBusters | Science Channel The drive MythBusters 13x05 Transformers Transformers Aftershow | MythBusters Yabiladi Oema Motorcycle News Piaafrica Midwestdreamcar
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, AJC hosted a conversation with Jason Greenblatt, a key architect of the Abraham Accords, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. They discussed the challenges threatening regional stability, from unilateral moves on Palestinian statehood to political pressures within Israel, and underscored what's at stake—and what it will take—to expand the Abraham Accords and advance peace. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC. Episode lineup: Dan Shapiro (1:00) Jason Greenblatt (18:05) Full transcript: https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/accords-of-tomorrow-architects-of-peace-episode-5 Resources: AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. AJC.org/AbrahamAccords - The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: AJC.org/ForgottenExodus AJC.org/PeopleofthePod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords – normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Later, in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco. Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs and turning the spotlight on some of the results. Introducing the Architects of Peace. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, American Jewish Committee hosted conversations with former Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, a key architect of the Abraham Accords, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro:. Both diplomats discussed the dangers threatening peace in the region, including some countries' unilateral calls for Palestinian statehood. They shared what's at stake and what it will take to expand the Abraham Accords and make progress toward peace in the region. We're including those conversations as part of our series. AJC's Chief Strategy and Communications Officer Belle Yoeli starts us off with Ambassador Shapiro. Belle Yoeli: Ambassador Shapiro, thank you so much for being with us. We're going to speak primarily about unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, but I, of course, want to ask you a couple of questions, because you have so much to share with us before we dive in. First and foremost, as we've said, It's been almost two years, and at AJC, we're all about optimism and playing the long game, as you know, but it does feel like the challenges for the Jewish community and the state of Israel continue to build. And of course, the war looms very large. What is your analysis of the geopolitical horizon for the war in Gaza. Dan Shapiro: First, thanks for having me. Thank you to American Jewish Committee and to Ted and everybody for all you do. Thank you, Ruby [Chen], and the families, for the fellowship that we can share with you in this goal. I'll just say it very simply, this war needs to end. The hostages need to come home. Hamas needs to be removed from power. And aid needs to surge into Gaza and move forward with a reconstruction of Gaza for Palestinians who prepare to live in peace with Israel. This is something that is overdue and needs to happen. I think there have been a number of missed opportunities along the way. I don't say this in a partisan way. I think President Trump has missed opportunities at the end of the first ceasefire, when the first ceasefire was allowed to expire after the Iran strike, something I strongly supported and felt was exactly the right thing to do. There was an opening to create a narrative to end the war. I think there have been other missed opportunities. And I don't say in a partisan way, because the administration I served in, the Biden administration, we made mistakes and we missed opportunities. So it can be shared. that responsibility. But what I do think is that there is a new opportunity right now, and we saw it in President Trump's meeting with Arab leaders. It's going to take very significant, deft, and sustained diplomatic effort. He's got a good team, and they need to do the follow through now to hold the Arabs to their commitments on ensuring Hamas is removed from power, on ensuring that there's a security arrangement in Gaza that does not leave Israel vulnerable to any possibility of a renewal of hostilities against it. And of course, to get the hostages released. That's pressure on the Arabs. And of course, he's got a meeting coming up with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I do think he's going to need to lean on Prime Minister Netanyahu to overcome the resistance that he has to deal with in his cabinet, from those who want to continue the war or who those who rule out any role of any kind for the Palestinian Authority in something that will follow in the day after in Gaza. So there is a real opportunity here. Once the war is over, then we have an opportunity to get back on the road that we were on. Two years ago at this UN General Assembly, I was serving as the Biden administration's Senior Advisor on regional integration, the first State Department position to hold that, trying to follow through on the excellent work that Jason Greenblatt and Jared Kushner and, of course, President Trump did in the first term in achieving the Abraham Accords. And we were building out the Negev Forum. And in fact, at that UNGA meeting, we had planned the next ministerial meeting of the Negev Forum. It was to take place October 19 in Marrakesh. Obviously, no one ever heard about that summit. It didn't happen. But getting back on the road to strengthening and expanding the Abraham Accords, to getting Saudi Arabia to the table as a country that will normalize relations with Israel, to expanding regional forums like the Negev Forum. Those are all still within reach, but none of them are possible until the war ends, till the hostages are home, till Hamas is removed from power. Belle Yoeli: Absolutely. And we look forward to talking more about the day after, in our next segment, in a segment coming up. Ambassador, you just got back from Israel. Can you tell us about your experience, the mood, what's the climate like in Israel? And any insights from your meetings and time that you think should be top of mind for us? Dan Shapiro: I think what was top of mind for almost every Israeli I spoke to was the hostages. I spent time in the hostage square in Tel Aviv, spent time with Ruby, spent time with other hostage families, and everywhere you go as everybody who spin their nose, you see the signs, you hear the anxiety. And it's getting deeper because of the time that people are worried is slipping away for, especially for those who are still alive, but for all of those hostages to be returned to their families, so deep, deep anxiety about it, and candidly, some anger, I think we just heard a little bit of it toward a government that they're not sure shares that as the highest priority. There's a lot of exhaustion. People are tired of multiple rounds of reserve duty, hundreds of days. Families stressed by that as well the concern that this could drag on with the new operation well into next year. It's allowed to continue. It's a lot of worry about Israel's increased isolation, and of course, that's part of the subject. We'll discuss how countries who have been friends of Israel, whether in the region or in Europe or elsewhere, are responding in more and more negative ways, and Israel, and all Israelis, even in their personal lives, are feeling that pinch. But there's also some, I guess, expectant hope that President Trump, who is popular in Israel, of course, will use his influence and his regional standing, which is quite significant, to put these pieces together. Maybe we're seeing that happening this week. And of course, there's some expectant hope, or at least expectant mood, about an election next year, which will bring about some kind of political change in Israel. No one knows exactly what that will look like, but people are getting ready for that. So Israelis are relentlessly forward, looking even in the depths of some degree of anxiety and despair, and so I was able to feel those glimmers as well. Belle Yoeli: And relentlessly resilient, absolutely resilient. And we know that inspires us. Moving back to the piece on diplomatic isolation and the main piece of our conversation, obviously, at AJC, we've been intensely focused on many of the aspects that are concerning us, in terms of unfair treatment of countries towards Israel, but unilateral recognition of Palestinian state is probably the most concerning issue that we've been dealing with this week, and obviously has gotten a lot of attention in the media. So from your perspective, what is this really all about? Obviously, this, this has been on the table for a while. It's not the first time that countries have threatened to do this, but I think it is the first time we're time we're seeing France and other major countries now pushing this forward in this moment. Is this all about political pressure on Israel? Dan Shapiro: Well, first, I'll say that I think it's a mistake. I think it's an ill advised set of initiatives by France, by Canada, Australia, UK and others. It will change almost it will change nothing on the ground. And so to that sense, it's a purely rhetorical step that changes nothing, and probably does little, if anything, to advance toward the stated goal of some sort of resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. And in many ways, it may actually set it back in part because of the way it appears to and certainly many Israelis understand it too. And I'm sorry to say, many Arabs understand it to reward Hamas. Hamas is celebrating it as an achievement of October 7, and that October 7 will find its place in the pantheon of the Palestinian Liberation story that should never be allowed to happen. So doing it this way, doing it without conditioning it on the release of hostages, on the disarming and removal of Hamas from Gaza, is a mistake. And of course, it tells Israelis that their very legitimate concerns about obviously the hostages, but also that some future Palestinian state, wherever and whatever form it might take, could become a threat to them from other parts, from parts of the West Bank, as it was from Gaza on October 7. And you cannot get to that goal unless you're willing to engage the Israeli public on those concerns, very legitimate concerns, and address them in a very forthright way. So I think it's a mistake. I'm sure, to some degree, others have made this observation. It is motivated by some of the domestic political pressures that these leaders feel from their different constituencies, maybe their left, left wing constituencies, some right wing constituencies, and some immigrant constituencies. And so maybe they're responding to that. And I think that's, you know, leaders deal with those types of things. I think sometimes they make bad decisions in dealing with those types of pressures. I think that's the case here, but I it's also the case. I think it's just fair to say that in the absence of any Israeli Government articulated viable day after, plan for Gaza, something we were urged Israel to work with us on all the time. I was serving in the Biden administration, and I think the Trump administration has as well, but it's remained blurry. What does what is that vision of the day after? Not only when does it start, but what does it look like afterwards? And is it something that Arab States and European states can buy into and get behind and and put their influence to work to get Hamas out and to do a rebuild that meets the needs of both Israelis and Palestinians. There hasn't been that. And so that could have been a way of satisfying some of those domestic pressures, but it wasn't really available. And so I think some of the leaders turn to this ill advised move instead. Belle Yoeli: So perhaps catering to domestic political concerns and wanting to take some sort of moral high ground on keeping peace alive, but beyond that, no real, practical or helpful outcomes, aside from setting back the cause of peace? Dan Shapiro: I think it has limited practical effects. Fact, I think it does tell Israelis that much of the world has not internalized their legitimate concerns, and that they will be, you know, cautious at best for this. Everybody knows that there are many Israelis who have been long standing supporters of some kind of two state resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. And post October 7, they've, they don't still hold that position, or at least they say, if it can happen, it's going to take a long time, it's going to look very different. And I think that actually is some a real practical takeaway, that if we are going to talk about some future establishment of a Palestinian state and some two state arrangement, certainly separation between Israelis and Palestinians, so they don't try to live intermixed in a way that they govern each other. I think that is that is desirable, but it's not necessarily going to look like two state outcomes that were envisioned in the Oslo period, in the 90s and the 2000s it's going to look different. It's going to take longer. And so that is something that I think we have to make sure is understood as people raise this initiative, that their goal is not the goal of 1993 it's going to have to look different, and it's going to have to take longer. Belle Yoeli: So as more and more countries have sort of joined this, this move that we find to be unhelpful, obviously, a concern that we all have who are engaged in this work is that we've heard response, perhaps, from the Israelis, that there could be potential annexation of the West Bank, and that leads to this sort of very, very, even more concerning scenario that all of the work that you were discussing before, around the Abraham Accords, could freeze, or, perhaps even worse, collapse. What's your analysis on that scenario? How concerned should we be based on everything that you know now and if not that scenario? What else should we be thinking about? Dan Shapiro: We should be concerned. I was actually in Israel, when the UAE issued their announcement about four weeks ago that annexation in the West Wing could be a red line, and I talked to a very senior UAE official and tried to understand what that means, and they aren't, weren't prepared to or say precisely what it means. It doesn't necessarily mean they're going to break off relations or end the Abraham Accords, but that they would have to respond, and there's a limited range of options for how one could respond, with moving ambassadors or limiting flights or reducing certain kinds of trade or other visits. Nothing good, nothing that would help propel forward the Abraham accords and that particular critical bilateral relationship in a way that we wanted to so I think there's risk. I think if the UAE would take that step, others would probably take similar steps. Egypt and Jordan have suggested there would be steps. So I think there's real risk there, and I think it's something that we should be concerned about, and we should counsel our Israeli friends not to go that route. There are other ways that they may respond. In fact, I think we've already seen the Trump administration, maybe as a proxy, make some kind of moves that try to balance the scales of these unilateral recognitions. But that particular one, with all of the weight that it carries about what how it limits options for future endpoints, I think would be very, very damaging. And I don't think I'm the only one. Just in the last hour and a half or so, President Trump, sitting in the Oval Office, said very publicly that he, I think you said, would not allow Netanyahu to do the Analyze annexation of the West Bank. I think previously, it was said by various people in the administration that it's really an Israeli decision, and that the United States is not going to tell them what to do. And that's perfectly fine as a public position, and maybe privately, you can say very clearly what you think is the right course, he's now said it very publicly. We'll see if he holds to that position. But he said it, and I think given the conversations he was having with Arab leaders earlier this week, given the meeting, he will have his fourth meeting. So it's obviously a very rich relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday, I think it's clear what he believes is necessary to get to the end of this war and not leave us in a worse position for trying to get back on the road to his goals. His goals of expanding the Abraham accords his great achievement from the first term, getting Saudi Arabia to normalize relations, of course, getting hostages released and getting Arabs involved in the reconstruction of Gaza in a way that Gaza can never become the threat it was again on October 7, those are his goals. They'll be well served by the end of the war that I described earlier, and by avoiding this cycle that you're referencing. Belle Yoeli: Putting aside the issue of unilateral recognition, I think we've seen in our work with our Israeli counterparts, sort of differences in the political establish. Around how important it is in thinking about the day after and seeing movement on the Palestinian issue. And we've seen from some that they perhaps make it out that it's not as important that the Palestinian having movement towards a political path. It's not necessarily a have to be front and center, while others seem to prioritize it. And I think in our work with Arab countries, it's very clear that there does have to be some tangible movement towards the political aspirations for the Palestinian for there to really be any future progress beyond the Abraham accords. What's your take? Dan Shapiro: My take is that the Arab states have often had a kind of schizophrenic view about the Palestinian issue. It's not always been, maybe rarely been their highest priority. They've certainly had a lot of disagreements with and maybe negative assessments of Palestinian leaders, of course, Hamas, but even Palestinian Authority leaders. And so, you know, it's possible to ask the question, or it has been over time, you know, how high do they prioritize? It? Certainly those countries that stepped forward to join the Abraham accords said they were not going to let that issue prevent them from advancing their own interests by establishing these productive bilateral relations with Israel, having said that there's no question that Arab publics have been deeply, deeply affected by the war in Gaza, by the coverage they see they unfortunately, know very little about what happened on October 7, and they know a lot about Israeli strikes in Gaza, civilian casualties, humanitarian aid challenges, and so that affects public moods. Even in non democratic countries, leaders are attentive to the views of their publics, and so I think this is important to them. And every conversation that I took part in, and I know my colleagues in the Biden administration with Arab states about those day after arrangements that we wanted them to participate in, Arab security forces, trainers of Palestinian civil servants, reconstruction funding and so forth. They made very clear there were two things they were looking for. They were looking for a role for the Palestinian Authority, certainly with room to negotiate exactly what that role would be, but some foothold for the Palestinian Authority and improving and reforming Palestinian Authority, but to have them be connected to that day after arrangement in Gaza and a declared goal of some kind of Palestinian state in the future. I think there was a lot of room in my experience, and I think it's probably still the case for flexibility on the timing, on the dimensions, on some of the characteristics of that outcome. And I think a lot of realism among some of these Arab leaders that we're not talking about tomorrow, and we're not talking about something that might have been imagined 20 or 30 years ago, but they still hold very clearly to those two positions as essentially conditions for their involvement in getting to getting this in. So I think we have to take it seriously. It sounds like President Trump heard that in his meeting with the Arab leaders on Tuesday. It sounds like he's taking it very seriously. Belle Yoeli: I could ask many more questions, but I would get in trouble, and you've given us a lot to think about in a very short amount of time. Ambassador Shapiro, thank you so much for being with us. Dan Shapiro: Thank you. Thank you everybody. Manya Brachear Pashman: As you heard, Ambassador Shapiro served under President Obama. Now AJC's Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson speaks with Jason Greenblatt, who served under President Trump. But don't expect a counterpoint. Despite their political differences, these two men see eye to eye on quite a bit. Jason Isaacson: Jason first, thank you for the Abraham Accords. The work that you did changed the history of the Middle East. We are so full of admiration for the work of you and your team. Jared Kushner. Of course, President Trump, in changing the realities for Israel's relationship across the region and opening the door to the full integration of Israel across the region. It's an unfinished work, but the work that you pioneered with the President, with Jared, with the whole team, has changed the perspective that Israel can now enjoy as it looks beyond the immediate borders, Jordan and Egypt, which has had relations with a quarter a century or more, to full integration in the region. And it's thanks to you that we actually are at this point today, even with all the challenges. So first, let me just begin this conversation by just thanking you for what you've done. Jason Greenblatt: Thank you. Thank you, and Shana Tova to everybody, thank you for all that you do. Jason Isaacson: Thank you. So you were intimately involved in negotiations to reach normalization agreements between Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco, the Kingdom of Bahrain, of course, the United Arab Emirates. Can you take us behind the scenes of these negotiations? At what point during the first term of President Trump did this become a priority for the administration, and when did it seem that it might actually be a real possibility? Jason Greenblatt: So I have the benefit, of course, of looking backward, right? We didn't start out to create the Abraham Accords. We started out to create peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which, as Dan knows, and so many people here know, including you Jason, seems to be an impossible task. But I would say that if I follow the breadcrumbs, my first meeting with Yousef Al Otaiba was a lunch, where it was the first time I actually ever met an Emirati, the first time I understood the psychology of the Emiratis. And others. I realized that the world had changed tremendously. Everything that you heard about anti-Israel wasn't part of the conversation. I'll go so far as to say, when I went to the Arab League Summit that took place in Jordan in March of 2017 where I met every foreign minister. And I'm not going to tell you that I loved many of those meetings, or 85% of the conversation, where it wasn't exactly excited about Israel and what Israel stood for. There were so many things in those conversations that were said that gave me hope. So it was multiple years of being in the White House and constantly trying to work toward that. But I want to go backwards for a second, and you touched on this in your speech, there are many parents and grandparents of the Abraham Accords, and AJC is one of those parents or grandparents. There are many people who work behind the scenes, Israeli diplomats and so many others. And I'm sure the Kingdom of Morocco, where the architecture was built for something like the Abraham Accords, everybody wanted regional peace and talked about Middle East peace. But we were fortunate, unfortunately for the Palestinians who left the table, which was a big mistake, I think, on their part, we're very fortunate to take all of that energy and all of that hard work and through a unique president, President Trump, actually create that architecture. On a sad note, I wouldn't say that when I left the White House, I thought I'd be sitting here thinking, you know, five years out, I thought there'd be lots of countries that would already have signed and all the trips that I take to the Middle East, I thought would be much. Now they're easy for me, but we're in a very, very different place right now. I don't think I ever would have envisioned that. Jason Isaacson: Thank you. The administration has talked a great deal about expanding the Abraham Accords, of course, and as have we. Indeed, at an AJC program that we had in Washington in February with Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, he talked publicly for the first time about Lebanon and Syria joining the Accords. Obviously, with both of those countries, their new political situation presents new possibilities. However, the ongoing war in Gaza, as we've been discussing with Ambassador Shapiro, and Israel's actions, including most recently striking Hamas in Doha, have further isolated Israel in the region and made an expansion of the accords harder to envision. At least, that's the way it seems. Given the current situation in the Middle East. Do you think the Trump administration can be successful in trying to broker new agreements, or do the current politics render that impossible in the short term? How hopeful are you? Jason Greenblatt: So I remain hopeful. First of all, I think that President Trump is a unique president because he's extremely close to the Israeli side, and he's very close to the Arab side. And he happens to have grandchildren who are both, right. I think, despite this terrible time that we're facing, despite hostage families, I mean, the terrible things that they have to live through and their loved ones are living it through right now, I still have hope. There's no conversation that I have in the Arab world that still doesn't want to see how those Abraham Accords can be expanded. Dan, you mentioned the Arab media. It's true, the Arab world has completely lost it when it comes to Israel, they don't see what I see, what I'm sure all of you see. I'm no fan of Al Jazeera, but I will say that there are newspapers that I write for, like Arab News. And when I leave the breakfast room in a hotel in Riyadh and I look at the headlines of, not Al Jazeera, but even Arab News, I would say, Wow, what these people are listening to and reading, what they must think of us. And we're seeing it now play out on the world stage. But despite all that, and I take my kids to the Middle East all the time, we have dear friends in all of those countries, including very high level people. I've gotten some great Shana Tovas from very high level people. They want the future that was created by the Abraham Accords. How we get there at this particular moment is a big question mark. Jason Isaacson: So we touched on this a little bit in the earlier conversation with Dan Shapiro:. Your team during the first Trump administration was able to defer an Israeli proposal to annex a portion of the West Bank, thanks to obviously, the oped written by Ambassador Al Otaiba, and the very clear position that that government took, that Israel basically had a choice, normalization with the UAE or annexation. Once again, there is discussion now in Israel about annexation. Now the President, as Ambassador Shapiro just said, made a very dramatic statement just a couple of hours ago. How do you see this playing out? Do you think that annexation is really off the table now? And if it were not off the table, would it prevent the continuation of the agreements that were reached in 2020 and the expansion of those agreements to a wider integration of Israel in the region? Jason Greenblatt: To answer that, I think for those of you who are in the room, who don't know me well, you should understand my answer is coming from somebody who is on the right of politics, both in Israel and here. In fact, some of my Palestinian friends would say that sometimes I was Bibi's mouthpiece. But I agree with President Trump and what he said earlier today that Dan had pointed out, I don't think this is the time. I don't think it's the place. And I was part of the team that wrote the paperwork that would have allowed Israel to . . . you use the word annexation. I'll say, apply Israeli sovereignty. You'll use the word West Bank, I'll use Judea, Samaria. Whatever the label is, it really doesn't matter. I don't think this is the time to do it. I think Israel has so many challenges right now, militarily, hostages, there's a million things going on, and the world has turned against Israel. I don't agree with those that are pushing Bibi. I don't know if it's Bibi himself, but I hope that Bibi could figure out a way to get out of that political space that he's in. And I think President Trump is making the right call. Jason Isaacson: So, I was speaking with Emirati diplomats a couple of days ago, who were giving me the sense that Israel hasn't gotten the message that the Palestinian issue is really important to Arab leaders. And we talked about this with Ambassador Shapiro earlier, that it's not just a rhetorical position adopted by Arab leaders. It actually is the genuine view of these Arab governments. Is that your sense as well that there needs to be something on the Palestinian front in order to advance the Abraham Accords, beyond the countries that we've established five years ago? Jason Greenblatt: You know, when I listened to Dan speak, and I told him this after his remarks, I'm always reminded that even though we disagree around the edges on certain things, if you did a Venn diagram, there would be a lot of overlap. I agree with how he sees the world. But I want to take it even back to when I was in the White House. There are many times people said, Oh, the Arabs don't care about the Palestinians. They don't care. We could just do whatever we want. It's not true. They may care more about their own countries, right? They all have their visions, and it's important to them to advance their own visions. The Palestinian cause may not have been as important, but there is no way that they were going to abandon the Palestinians back then, and I don't think the UAE or the Kingdom of Morocco or others having entered into the Abraham Accords, abandoned the Palestinians. I think that was the wrong way to look at it, but they are certainly not going to abandon the Palestinians now. And I think that how Dan described it, which is there has to be some sort of game plan going forward. Whether you want to call it a state, which, I don't like that word, but we can't continue to live like this. I'm a grandfather now of three. I don't want my grandchildren fighting this fight. I really don't. Is there a solution? Okay, there's a lot of space between what I said and reality, and I recognize that, but it's incumbent on all of us to keep trying to figure out, is there that solution? And it's going to include the Palestinians. I just want to close my answer with one thing that might seem odd to everybody. I'm not prone to quoting Saeb Erekat, who I disagreed with, the late Saeb Erekat, who I disagreed with just about on everything, but he used to tell me, Jason, the answer isn't in the Koran, it's not in the Torah, it's not in the Christian Bible, and the Israelis and the Palestinians are not leaving the space. So let's figure out a solution that we could all live with. So that's how I see it. Jason Isaacson: Thank you for that. One last question. I also heard in another conversation with other em righty diplomats the other day that the conflict isn't between Arabs and Israelis or Arabs and Jews, it's between moderates and extremists, and that the UAE is on the side of the moderates, and Morocco is on the side of the moderates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain is on the side of the moderates, and Israel is on the side of the moderates. And that's what we have to keep in our minds. But let me also ask you something that we've been saying for 30 years across the region, which is, if you believe in the Palestinian cause, believe in rights for the Palestinians, you will advance that cause by engaging Israel, not by isolating Israel. Is that also part of the argument that your administration used five years ago? Jason Greenblatt: 100%. I think, I mean, I kept pushing for it and eventually they did it, for the Israelis and the Arabs to engage directly. Yes, the US plays a role, and they could play a moderating role. They could play somewhat of a coercive role. Nobody's going to force the Israelis, or frankly, even the Palestinians, to do anything they don't want to do, but getting them in the room so there are no missed signals, no missed expectations, I think, is the key part of this solution. I'm still hopeful, just to go back to your prior question, that they could get the right people in the room and somebody like President Trump, together with Emirati diplomats, Moroccan diplomats and others. They could talk rationally, and sanely, and appropriately, and we'll get somewhere good. Jason Isaacson: Ok, look ahead. We just marked the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords. Will there be a 10th Anniversary of the Abraham Accords, and will it look the same that it is now? Jason Greenblatt: No, I think it's going to be better. Yes, I think there's going to be a 10th Anniversary. I think there will be challenges. But maybe the best way I could answer this is, when the, I'll call it, the beeper incident in Lebanon happened. Okay, quite, quite a feat. I was in a conference room at a client of mine in the Middle East. Most of the room was filled with Lebanese Arabs, Christians and Muslims and some Druze. And it was unusual for everybody's phone to buzz at once, because I'm usually following the Israeli and American news. They're following Arab news. All the phones buzz. So somebody stopped talking, and we all picked up our phone to look at it. And I'm looking at the headlines thinking, oh, boy, am I in the wrong room, right? And after a minute or so of people kind of catching their breath, understanding what happened, two or three of them said, wow, Jason. Like, that's incredible. Like, you know, I wasn't in the White House anymore, but they also want a different future, right? They are sick and tired of Lebanon being a failed state. Their kids are like my kids, and they're just . . . they're everything that they're building is for a different future, and I see that time and time again. So to go back to the UAE diplomats comment, which I hear all the time as well. It really is a fight of moderates against extremists. The extremists are loud and they're very bad. We know that, but we are so much better. So working together, I think we're going to get to somewhere great. Jason Isaacson: Very good. Okay. Final question. You can applaud, it's okay. Thank you for that. Out of the Abraham Accords have grown some regional cooperation agreements. I too, you too, IMEC, the India, Middle East, Europe, Economic corridor. Do you see that also, as part of the future, the creation of these other regional agreements, perhaps bringing in Japan and Korea and and other parts of the world into kind of expanding the Abraham Accords? In ways that are beneficial to many countries and also, at the same time, deepening the notion of Israelis, Israel's integration in the region. Jason Greenblatt: 100% and I know I think AJC has been very active on the IMEC front. People used to say, Oh, this is not an economic peace. It isn't an economic peace, but nor is economics not a very important part of peace. So all of these agreements, I encourage you to keep working toward them, because they will be needed. In fact, one of the fights that I used to have with Saeb Erekat and President Abbas all the time is, I know you're not an economic issue, but let's say we manage to make peace. What's going to happen the next day? You need an economic plan. Let's work on the economic plan. So whether it's IMEC or something else, just keep working at it. Go, you know, ignore the bad noise. The bad noise is here for a little while, unfortunately, but there will be a day after, and those economic agreements are what's going to be the glue that propels it forward. Jason Isaacson: Jason Greenblatt, really an honor to be with you again. Thank you. Manya Brachear Pashman: In our next episode of the series, we will explore more of the opportunities and challenges presented by the Abraham Accords and who might be the next country to sign the landmark peace agreement. Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible. You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace. The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC. You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland Inspired Middle East: ID: 241884108; Composer: iCENTURY Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher
In this episode, I talk with designer and shop owner Stephanie Rudloe about her work with Marrakesh Designs and her long collaboration with Moroccan artisans. Stephanie shares how she first fell in love with Moroccan craft, from rugs and doors to brass lighting and pottery, and how these handmade pieces bring depth and character into our homes. We also explore how to layer just a touch of Morocco into everyday interiors in a way that feels natural and personal without going overboard or being overly thematic. What we find is that certain Moroccan objects and motifs have been design staples for many decades in America. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
Support Lorenzo on Patreon.com PROGRAM NOTES: Tangier, 1957. William Burroughs is creating Naked Lunch in the port city where traditional hashish preparations flow as freely as mint tea, and every transaction crosses cultural boundaries. Through the eyes of a young Moroccan fixer who navigates between worlds we witness the birth of ideas that would reshape consciousness and art. This is the untold story behind the famous line "language is a virus": a tale of how traditional North African wisdom practices intersected with experimental American writing, how words spread through cultural networks like contagions, and how the most revolutionary ideas often travel through the most ancient channels. Fiction grounded in research and respect, "Majoun & Manuscript" explores what happens when consciousness expansion meets cultural appropriation, when preservation becomes violation, and when a young translator must choose between using language to control or to protect. Majoun & Manuscript: A Tale from the Interzone - PDF Edition
Estevanico was a translator and guide, and was probably the first person of any race from outside the Americas to enter what’s now Arizona and New Mexico – which happened in 1539. Research: Birzer, Dedra McDonald and J.M.H. Clark. “Esteban Dorantes.” Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade. Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation. https://enslaved.org/fullStory/16-23-92882/ Birzer, Dedra McDonald. "Esteban." Oxford African American Studies Center. May 31, 2013. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-34375 Chipman, Donald E. and Robert S. Wedd. “How Historical Myths Are Born...... And Why They Seldom Die.” The Southwestern Historical Quarterly , January, 2013. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24388345 Clark, J.M.H. "Esteban the African ‘Estebanico’." Oxford African American Studies Center. May 31, 2017. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-73900 Docter, Mary. “Enriched by Otherness: The Transformational Journey of Cabeza de Vaca.” Christianity and Literature , Autumn 2008, Vol. 58, No. 1. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44313875 "Estevanico (1500-1539)." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A148426031/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=41f83344. Accessed 28 July 2025. Flint, Richard. “Dorantes, Esteban de.” New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Via archive.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20110728080635/http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails.php?fileID=464 Gordon, Richard A. “Following Estevanico: The Influential Presence of an African Slave in Sixteenth-century New World Historiography.” Colonial Latin American Review Vol. 15, No. 2, December 2006. Gordon-Reed, Annette. “Estebanico’ s America.” The Atlantic. June 2021. Herrick, Dennis. “Esteban.” University of New Mexico Press. 2018. Project MUSE. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/60233. Ilahiane, Hsain. “Estevan de Dorantes, Estevanico: The First Moroccan and African Explorer of the American Southwest.” Southwest Center. Via YouTube. 2/21/2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLm0BsFDfvk Ilahiane, Hsain. “Estevan De Dorantes, the Moor or the Slave? The other Moroccan explorer of New Spain.” The Journal of North African Studies, 5:3, 1-14, DOI: 10.1080/13629380008718401 Ladd, Edmund J. “Zuni on the Day the Men in Metal Arrived.” From The Coronado Expedition to Tierra Nueva. Shirley Cushing Flint and Richard Flint, eds. University Press of Colorado. 2004. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/3827 Logan, Rayford. “Estevanico, Negro Discoverer of the Southwest: A Critical Reexamination.” Phylon (1940-1956), Vol. 1, No. 4 (4th Qtr., 1940). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/272298 Sando, Joe S. “Pueblo nations: eight centuries of Pueblo Indian history.” Santa Fe, N.M. : Clear Light. 1992. Shields, E. Thomson. "Esteban." Oxford African American Studies Center. December 01, 2006. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc-com.proxy.bostonathenaeum.org/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-17021 Simour, Lhoussain. “(De)slaving history: Mostafa al-Azemmouri, the sixteenth-century Moroccan captive in the tale of conquest.” European Review of History—Revue europe´enne d’histoire, 2013 Vol. 20, No. 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13507486.2012.745830 Smith, Cassander L. “Beyond the Mediation: Esteban, Cabeza de Vaca's ‘Relación’ , and a Narrative Negotiation.” Early American Literature , 2012, Vol. 47, No. 2. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41705661 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.