With a content-hungry generation to cater to, podcasts have come to be a cultural staple across the globe. As for the region, the medium is only now piquing our interest. That’s probably because, until recently, there’s been a serious lack of Arab-centric shows for us to listen to.
But the last few years have seen a new wave of shows not only catered towards Arabs, but made by us too—opening the doors to a wealth of conversations that for far too long has gone undiscussed.
The best part? It’s like listening in on your friends having a no-holds-bars chat. Except instead of gossiping, they’re delving deep into all aspects of Arab identity, moving us past narratives that pigeonholed the region, and telling real stories of our contemporary cultures with a healthy dose of history instead.
If you haven’t already dipped your toes into the world of podcasts, we’re here to make the process easy for you. From shows exploring gender equality in the region to the Arab phenomenon of dating via Facebook, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites.
Blank Maps
With a massive Arab refugee and diaspora population scattered across the region and the world, the topic of migration and statelessness has never been more pertinent than now, and Blank Maps is on a mission to tell their stories.
The Dukkan Show
A MILLE favourite, the Dukkan show has been on our radar for some time now. The podcast is dedicated to exploring the concept of belonging, and what it really means to be a modern Arab and a third culture kid, bringing along some of the region’s most recognized voices to navigate the topics.
Kerning Cultures
If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the cherished Arab sweet baklava, or what it’s really like for Arab women to wear the hijab, Kerning Cultures has catered episodes to each topic—digging deep into both subjects and getting us some answers along the way.
Eib
Ever wanted to explore what it’s like to be a widow in Jordan, hear the story of two queer women carrying out a relationship in a homophobic society, or get to know a couple that met via Facebook, Eib is a must-listen.