Women face big decisions and even bigger challenges when it comes to their health, so we’re sharing some stories that don’t get talked about enough. We begin with one woman’s decision to freeze her eggs holding space for the future she hopes to build on her own terms. Then, we hear from a woman living with endometriosis – an all-too-common condition that's often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. We speak to an expert to help you or someone you know navigate this disease. Finally, we speak to a thyr...
Jun 24, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Divorce remains illegal for most people in the Philippines – making it the only country besides Vatican City where it’s banned. With no legal pathway out, activists say women are often forced to stay in abusive or unwanted marriages. In this episode of Now You Know we speak with Cindy Diaz. The mother of three has been separated from her abusive husband for over a decade and is fighting to make divorce legal. We also hear from legal expert Clara Padilla, who weighs in on whether that’s possible....
Jun 17, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Across the US, migrant communities are living in fear as ICE raids surge with immigration policies tightening under the Trump administration. In response, migrant-led groups are mobilising to provide support to empower the most vulnerable to know their rights. In this episode of Now You Know, we chat with Nelcy Garcia De Leon from Proyecto Faro, a migrant-led support group. She shares what it takes to show up for people in crisis. In this episode: Nelcy Garcia De Leon, Board Chair | Proyecto Far...
Jun 10, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Did you know that women already control a third of the world’s private wealth — and that number is expected to soar past 50 percent in the next five years? But how can you be part of that growth? Now You Know speaks with Cristina Jaeger, the founder of HerFinancialFreedom. Cristina’s mission is to close the gender gap in wealth and investing and help women gain financial independence. She shares tips on how women can meet their financial goals. In this episode: Cristina Jaeger, ( IG ), Founder |...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Is laughter truly the best medicine? Pakistani cartoonist Nigar Nazar believes it might be. She's famously known as the first professional female cartoonist in Pakistan and the Muslim world. Through her work she has sought to address social and cultural issues through her witty and thought-provoking cartoons transforming complex topics. This week on Now You Know, we talk to Nigar about her creative initiative that uses humour to raise awareness, advocate for change, and educate both children and...
May 27, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 36
25,000 children have been injured in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023, according to the United Nations. And, according to The World Health Organization, about 2,500 children in Gaza require urgent medical attention outside the territory. What does it take to help children evacuated from Gaza start their journey to healing? This week on Now You Know we speak to Dr Lisa Thornton, a pediatric rehabilitation specialist in Qatar. She talks about the difficulties treating children who were able...
May 20, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Can skateboarding change lives? One organisation believes it can. Bangladesh Street Kids Aid supports children living on the streets by providing essentials, education, and skateboarding lessons. With over 3 million street children in Bangladesh – many facing poverty, addiction, or exploitation – this initiative offers a lifeline, especially for young girls. Now You Know speaks with founder Susie Halsell to learn what inspired her to start this initiative and how it’s making a difference, especi...
May 13, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Iraq’s amendments to its personal status law have been controversial. Critics say the changes could roll back women’s rights, with serious implications for marriage, divorce, and child custody. So why has this shift happened and what does it really mean for girls and women across the country? This week on Now You Know , we speak to Sherri Kraham Talabany, about her firsthand experience with how the country’s laws and culture have shaped the lives of women and girls, and what she thinks the lates...
May 06, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Sean Combs, iconic rapper and music mogul, is behind bars awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied all the charges, but this story has people talking about hip-hop's #metoo moment. This week on Now You Know, we talk to an industry writer, producer, editor about the hip-hop scene and question whether it has a history of silence around abuse. Will Combs' case mark a turning point for accountability in the industry? In t...
Apr 29, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 32
At 31, Jill Damatac made the decision to self-deport from the United States, ending 22 years of life as an undocumented migrant. Her journey began at age nine, when her family left the Philippines for the US in search of a better life. But instead of opportunity, they encountered instability, xenophobia, and an immigration system Jill describes as broken. In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Jill Damatac about what it means to grow up as an undocumented migrant in the US, and how that re...
Apr 22, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Every ten minutes, a woman or girl is killed by someone she knows, according to the UN. Femicide is a global issue that we can’t afford to ignore. So what’s really behind it? And more importantly, how can it be stopped? Now You Know talks to María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, the director of a citizen watch group in Mexico. She shares powerful stories of femicide in her country. We also hear from Mariam Khan, a UNFPA representative in Türkiye, who helps us understand how deep this problem runs in ...
Apr 15, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 30
South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. While factors like the economy, government policies, and culture play a role, these challenges exist globally. So what makes South Korea so unique? Now You Know talks to Anna Kook, an AJ+ reporter who covers South Korean society and news. She explains why people in South Korea are not having enough babies. In this episode: Anna Kook, ( X / IG ), AJ+ Reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Ho...
Apr 08, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 29
When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad’s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars – both physical and emotional – remain. How did they survive the unimaginable? On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years in prison. She shares her experience of survival, and why she’s speaking out now: to see...
Apr 01, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza, shattering the ceasefire with Hamas. Hundreds of people were killed in the first week of renewed attacks and Palestinians have once again been given evacuation orders. As destruction mounts the hope of rebuilding Gaza is fading fast. This week on Now You Know, we talk to Ms. Paula Gaviria, UN Special Rapporteur for the human rights of internally displaced people. We talk about the challenges involved in planning for the rebuilding of Gaza and ask, Will it ...
Mar 25, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In India, a woman or girl is raped every 16 minutes, according to India's National Crime Records Bureau. “To Kill a Tiger” tells the powerful story of a 13-year-old survivor and her father’s fight to get justice for his daughter – a fight that ultimately led to the three accused being sentenced to 25 years in prison each. On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we speak to director Nisha Pahuja who captures this battle in her Oscar-nominated documentary. We also speak to a sexual violence expert...
Mar 19, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American-Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. This achievement holds immense significance, especially given the ongoing controversy surrounding the hijab in sports. This week on Now You Know, we chat with Ibtihaj about staying true to her identity, pushing back against discrimination, and competing at the highest level. In this episode: Ibtihaj Muhammad, ( X | IG ), Fencing Champion Episode credits: This episode was produced by...
Mar 11, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Palestinians who emerge from Israeli prisons often speak of the physical abuse, solitary confinement and terrible living conditions that they’ve endured. But is it even tougher for women? Now You Know talks to Hadeel Shatara, a former Palestinian prisoner. She was released during the first wave of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Hadeel shares her story and what female prisoners endure behind bars. In this episode: Hadeel Shatara, ( X | IG ), Head of Alumni Programme | Birzeit University Ep...
Mar 04, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 24
An unlikely group of fighters is on the frontline of Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. They’re called the Witches of Bucha – a group of volunteers, many of them suburban mothers, defending Ukrainian skies from drones. Their training is tough, and the stakes are high. For some, it’s a way to channel their rage. For others, it’s nerve-wracking but necessary work. This week on Now You Know, we speak with a member of the unit about the risks these women face, why she chose this path, and what it ...
Feb 25, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Megan Garcia says her teenage son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide after developing a harmful attachment to an AI companion chatbot. She has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, accusing the company of negligence. In this episode of Now You Know, Megan looks back on some of the warning signs other parents might find useful as they navigate this digital age. We also speak to one of her lawyers, Meetali Jain, about this unique case. In this episode: Megan Garcia, ( IG ), Mother of Sewell Setze...
Feb 18, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 22
How can African art be reclaimed and re-defined so that African voices are amplified? Like in many other fields, people from the continent have been overlooked or underrepresented in the art world. So how can that change? In this episode of Now You Know, we chat with Adora Mba from ADA Contemporary Art Gallery in Ghana. She tells us about her mission to showcase emerging African artists and reshape Western perceptions of Africa through art. In this episode: Adora Mba, ( IG ), Founder | ADA conte...
Feb 11, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Diana Buttu is a Palestinian international human rights lawyer who’s previously been involved in negotiations with Israelis. Often the only woman at the negotiating table, Diana brings a unique perspective to the complex dialogue surrounding peace. In this episode of Now You Know, she shares her experiences navigating the challenges of high-stakes discussions and offers a firsthand account of life in the occupied West Bank. In this episode: Diana Buttu, ( X or IG ), International Human Rights La...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 20
On January 19, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect. But Gaza lies in ruins with at least 46,000 Palestinians killed, and two-thirds of all buildings now damaged or destroyed. In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Gaza-based Communications Specialist for UNICEF, Rosalia Bollen, about what a ceasefire means for Palestinians in Gaza right now, especially for the children, and what’s ahead on the path to rebuilding lives and communities. * This episode was recorded on Januar...
Jan 28, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Online dating is one of the surest and quickest ways to meet someone. The possibilities of finding what you’re looking for are as wide as the internet search. Sometimes you find who you want, but for more and more women, swiping left has exposed them to untold dangers. Increasingly, online dating has become a space where women are being exposed to sexual violence and abuse. This week on Now You Know we talk to Jackie Cruz, a sexual violence researcher, about how women can stay safe on dating app...
Jan 20, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 18
After going undiagnosed for years, Ayah Jaghoub discovered she had two autoimmune diseases and thyroid cancer. She speaks to Samantha about her journey, and the years of neglect she says she experienced by the medical industry. We also talk to an endocrinology consultant to better understand thyroid issues. On this episode of Now You Know, we want to know why it can take so long to get a diagnosis, and how thyroid cancer impacts women differently to men. In this episode: Ayah Jaghoub, ( IG ), Th...
Jan 13, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today, we bring you on the Now You Know feed True Crime Reports, a new global crime show from Al Jazeera Podcasts. Crime stories from the global south and beyond that often haven’t reached the outside world. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe. Thabo Bester: Prison Break Thabo Bester is South Africa’s most notorious con man. In 2012, he was locked away for life for murder and rape. But when in 2022, a fire suddenly breaks out in Bester’s cell, and nothing but a charred body re...
Jan 10, 2025•34 min
In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, a 100-mile race that snakes through Frozen Head State Park in the state of Tennessee. The runners have 60 hours to finish the course and Paris completed it with only seconds to spare. On this week’s Now You Know, we speak to Paris about what it takes, physically and mentally, to be the only woman to have completed the Barkley Marathons since it was established in 1989. In this episode: Jasmin Paris, ( X / IG ), Ultra...
Jan 06, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Hey, Samantha here. Now You Know is on a winter break. But please come back and listen on January the 6th, because I'll be talking to ultra runner, Jasmine Paris. She became the first woman to ever finish the Barkley Marathons. If you've never heard of the race, trust me, that's a triumph. Jasmine also has some great advice on how you can achieve what you want in 2025. See you soon! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter , Instagram, Facebook , Threads and YouTube...
Dec 23, 2024•34 sec
Since April 2023, the civil war in Sudan has claimed more than 60,000 lives in fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Famine is imminent, sexual violence against women and girls is widespread. On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to a young Sudanese woman who fled to neighboring Egypt, and a policy analyst on Sudan who explains why this war can’t be ignored. In this episode: Kholood Khair, ( X ) Political Analyst | Researcher Omnia Mustaf...
Dec 16, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 15
When living under conditions of extreme violence, the burden of trauma becomes inescapable. For Palestinians, life under Israeli occupation and persistent bombardment, the struggle is profound. How can they embark on a journey toward healing? Now You Know speaks with Ashira Darwish, a Palestinian trauma therapist who shares her own story of perseverance and survival. When Israeli soldiers broke her spine leaving her paralyzed, she learned how to walk again. She was able to find a new path to hea...
Dec 09, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Khalida Popal’s passion is football and her purpose, fighting for women’s rights. Both put her life in danger in Afghanistan. Forced to flee and become a refugee, Khalida has found a new and stronger voice to help all women. In this episode of Now You Know, Khalida talks about creating the Afghan women’s national football team, and how football gave her a sense of freedom that her country did not. In this episode: Khalida Popal, ( X / IG ), Co-Founder | Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team...
Dec 02, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 13
