The Written Word by Tala Ramadan, Ep.2 'Borderline Love in Beirut' with Majd Zaher Majd Zaher is a Lebanese author who nurtured a profound interest in reading and writing his entire life. Majd has written many short stories and participated in numerous competitions. His book 'Borderline Love in Beirut' is a collection of love stories often concealed under the pretext of norms and culture. This novel takes the reader on a roller-coaster of contradictions and emotions. Follow Majd on social media:...
Jun 15, 2021•22 min
0:00 Intro 4:56 What happened? 11:11 'Tfeh 3leik' 19:29 A Way Out 24:09 Action We're with Yasmine Masri for Episode 265 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/aF6T-JNDKrU We discuss yesterday's verbal and physical attack between Yasmine and Gebran Bassil's security team, the fallout following national media coverage and wider reflections on where the October 17 uprising stands at this immensely difficult stage for Lebanon. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal...
Jun 14, 2021•33 min
Happy to announce that I'll be contributing a weekly opinion column for NowLebanon. New pieces will be narrated here on the podcast. This week's article is "The Anarchist & The Dinosaur", accessible via the following link: https://nowlebanon.com/the-anarchist-and-the-dinosaur/ Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred pla...
Jun 13, 2021•10 min
The Written Word by Tala Ramadan Episode 1 - Tala discusses predictive text technology, its impact on journalism and how wider issues surrounding AI affect Lebanon. The article referenced in this piece, 'The Next Work by John Seabrook' is accessible via the following link: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/14/can-a-machine-learn-to-write-for-the-new-yorker Available across audio podcast platforms. Simply search for The Beirut Banyan. From long-form analysis to in-depth essays and books ...
Jun 08, 2021•28 min
0:00 Intro 6:34 Dialogue 15:35 Public Space 22:04 Reaching Conclusion 32:45 Hezbollah 42:45 Built-in Prejudice 54:21 Starting Somewhere 1:07:48 Protest Demands 1:15:37 Beyond the Bars 1:27:30 Cultural Center We're with Ali Baroudy for Episode 263 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/aJWvRUQrU_U We discuss the importance of dialogue, better methods of communication and ways of focusing on shared grievances. Our conversation includes addressing built-in prejudice and the fundamen...
Jun 06, 2021•1 hr 33 min
0:00 Intro 3:14 Fait Accompli? 10:09 Why is this happening? 17:30 Explanation Problems 22:09 Missing from the Story 26:32 Port Blast 32:35 Narrowness We're with Olga Kavran for Episode 262 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/hpo11X6FtjU We discuss the cost of impunity, budgetary constraints and the potential shutting down of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Olga Kavran is former Head of Legacy & Outreach at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Help support The Beirut Banyan ...
Jun 03, 2021•41 min
A new weekly mini-series for The Beirut Banyan. The Written Word by Tala Ramadan Available across audio podcast platforms and YouTube. Simply search for The Beirut Banyan. From long-form analysis to in-depth essays and books covering wide terrain, Tala Ramadan shares her appreciation for the written word. Each episode will jump into a select work, reflecting on the topic at hand. Guests will include featured authors. Tala Ramadan is a Beirut-based journalist focusing on scientific, social and ed...
Jun 01, 2021•15 min
0:00 Intro 2:35 Covering the Story 9:27 Investigative Process 19:01 The Public Source 31:34 Avoiding the Usual? 38:52 The Gap 47:13 Impossible to Reform 53:17 Getting Worse? We're with Kareem Chehayeb for Episode 261 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/8Vx3HBjADk4 We discuss the current media landscape, investigative journalism and the role of independent outlets like The Public Source. Our conversation includes reflecting on failed attempts at reform, possibilities for positi...
May 30, 2021•1 hr 1 min
0:00 Intro 1:48 Optimism 12:25 Hope in the Future 18:26 Foundation 24:52 Sectarianism 33:29 Missed Opportunity 38:35 Economics 43:48 Sovereignty 1:00:08 An Independent Voice 1:06:52 Kulluna Irada We're with Albert Kostanian for Episode 260 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/wMzOpwbCP0A We discuss nuanced optimism when it comes to the future of Lebanon and a wider calling for political agency and shared destiny. Our conversation includes examining illusive pillars that are gra...
May 23, 2021•1 hr 13 min
0:00 Intro 2:47 Storytelling 6:14 Difficulty of the Moment 10:27 Change 26:49 Repetition 43:20 Academia 50:55 A Path Forward We're with Mona Fawaz for Episode 259 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/hjUradkdq_U We discuss how we met on my WalkBeirut tour in 2009, a shared passion for storytelling and Mona's illustrious career in urban planning and political activism. Our conversation includes the immense difficulty of the moment, a theory of change for Lebanon and the ability ...
May 16, 2021•57 min
0:00 Intro 2:17 Online Markers 7:38 Online Caution 15:41 Larger Problem 22:49 Part of the Story 30:03 Information 37:07 Misinformation We're with Aya Iskandarani for Episode 258 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/xoCRIGTgvNY We discuss the nine month marker following the Beirut port blast, and the challenge of 'marking' without justice. Our conversation includes the difficulty of open debate online - including Clubhouse - and the precautions taken when covering Hezbollah-rela...
May 09, 2021•46 min
0:00 Intro 2:16 Pursuits Abroad 7:23 Common Identity 13:46 Social Pact 22:34 Higher Interest of the States 40:02 Institutionalized Country 51:52 October 17 1:02:21 Groups & Individuals We're with Ramzi Abou Ismail for Episode 257 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/QC4vgX8Jby4 We discuss political psychology within the Lebanese context and dive into issues related to shared identity, Lebanon's social pact and a lacking higher interest of the state. Our conversation include...
May 02, 2021•1 hr 10 min
0:00 Intro 3:24 Collapse 9:21 Coverage 25:04 Halfway to Hell 31:48 Long-Form We're with Abby Sewell for Episode 256 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/lo7ECcK0bBU We discuss three of her recent L'Orient Today pieces covering collective memory and Haret Hreik, renewable energy and the power sector, and the black market surrounding fuel shortages and smugglers in North Lebanon. Our conversation includes the wider role of journalism and storytelling, and an appreciation for long...
Apr 21, 2021•38 min
0:00 Intro 2:23 Inspiration 9:49 Poetic Justice & Resistance 17:22 All we can expect? 22:17 Political Power 32:17 A tribute to Beirut? 37:02 Nawaya Click to watch: https://youtu.be/kvTYg3n9Q40 We're with Zeina Saab for Episode 255 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss her book project: 'We Were There: A Book About the Beirut Explosion' and reflect on the pursuit of poetic justice through preserving and honoring collective memory. Our conversation includes the wider role of civil society in the af...
Apr 18, 2021•46 min
0:00 Intro 2:12 1999-2000 8:37 Post-War Sovereignty 18:03 Certainty 27:19 The Wider Story 40:10 Memories of My Father We're with Amb. Frederic C. Hof for Episode 254 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Yt93xZ3KML0 We discuss his recent Newlines Magazine piece: 'Assad: The Shebaa Farms Are Syrian, Whatever Hezbollah Claims' and revisit previous US efforts at securing a peace deal between Syria and Israel. Our conversation includes Lebanon's position during these talks, and why ...
Apr 11, 2021•48 min
0:00 Intro 1:22 Echo Chamber 5:13 Socialization 11:59 Podcast Popularity 19:22 Privacy 26:40 Long-Form 41:21 Experts We're with Tala Ramadan for Episode 253 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/SEGiDXxWgP4 We discuss Clubhouse's appeal in Lebanon and the Middle East, advantages at discussing with opposing sides over Twitter's more familiar echo chamber and attempts at state censorship over the audio exchange platform. Our conversation includes increased popularity of podcasts a...
Apr 11, 2021•49 min
0:00 Intro 1:28 Background 5:06 First Step 7:41 Individual Level 12:21 Failed State 19:44 Paralysis 30:46 Pre-Civil War 39:09 Opposition Leverage 50:43 Personal We're with Majd Harb for Episode 252 of The Beirut Banyan. We put corruption in context and discuss the first steps necessary in addressing state failure. We also examine Lebanon's legal text as it stands and the strength of our constitution. Majd pinpoints political reasons for our ongoing political paralysis and reflects on an individu...
Apr 04, 2021•59 min
0:00 Intro 1:24 Background 12:39 2011 20:18 Civil to Political 30:20 Hezbollah 42:32 The Last Time We Spoke 53:32 The Question 01:01:55 Roles Reversed We're with Gilbert Doumit for Episode 251 of The Beirut Banyan. We reflect on crossing paths on the streets of Beirut, from distributing aid kits during the July 2006 War until a chance encounter last week in Gemmayze. We discuss the political evolution of civil society following the Syrian army's withdrawal in 2005, and Gilbert's own career in pu...
Mar 28, 2021•1 hr 24 min
0:00 Intro 2:00 False Comparison 11:36 Buildup 17:45 Sectarian Story 26:05 National Unity 32:10 Familiar 39:10 Reconsider 44:54 Principle 53:15 Repeated Decision 59:32 October 17 We're with Sara Assaf for Episode 250 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/8my2ZQojRJg We reflect on sixteen years since the March 14 2005 protests that paved the way for the Syrian army's withdrawal from Lebanon. We discuss the buildup to that date and the political failures since. Our conversation in...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 15 min
0:00 Intro 1:25 Disbelief 4:08 Rage 6:28 Shared Passion 9:55 A Part of Ourselves 13:03 Heal Wounds 20:44 1989 26:23 Impunity 31:30 Justice 34:52 Too late? 41:08 Ghobeiri 48:44 Storytellers 55:34 A Way Out We're with Monika Borgmann for Episode 249 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss UMAM Documentation & Research's contribution to collective memory and the wider power of storytelling. We also reflect on Monika's relationship with Lokman Slim, the aftermath of his assassination and the consequenc...
Mar 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Mike Azar interviews me on Clubhouse about storytelling, my WalkBeirut tour and podcasting. We debate fundamental obstacles facing stability and long-term reform in Lebanon.
Mar 12, 2021•1 hr 59 min
0:00 Intro 3:04 Are the big answers outside? 16:04 Multiple Assassinations 21:23 Sovereignty 30:12 Long-Term Investment 40:01 What can be done? 55:21 Media 1:07:53 My Father We're with Mouafac Harb for Episode 248 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/qlObTi8-s5Y We discuss his recent The Daily Star piece "Victory Lap for Tehran in Lebanon" and lay out domestic components to the current political and economic crisis vs regional and international posturing that may be conducive t...
Feb 27, 2021•1 hr 18 min
0:00 Intro 3:35 Getting the Vaccine 9:50 mRNA 24:42 Basic Differences 29:18 Corruption 38:11 Misinformation Campaign 44:45 Numbers Today 49:12 Bizarre Policies 55:39 Precautions We're with Zakia Dimassi for Episode 247 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/SiOF9q6KvfA We discuss the experience of getting vaccinated for COVID-19, basic differences among various vaccines, and the basics of mRNA technology. We also discuss the misinformation / disinformation campaign doctors and sc...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 3 min
0:00 Intro 4:52 Fed Up 10:03 Historic Story 15:18 Classroom to Street 21:57 Fondness to Disgruntled'ness' 30:31 Struggling 38:52 Focus on Truth 47:49 False Narrative 59:30 Worst Version of Falsehood 1:08:55 Knowing the Truth 1:18:00 The Need to End War We're with Hani Hassan Episode 246 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/1IAiOMJKyVs We discuss competing mythologies and historical narratives, the communal comfort of false logic and a determination to focus and empower truth ov...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 33 min
0:00 Intro 2:48 Void 16:21 Driving the Story 20:48 Last Name 25:28 Shielding Emotions 35:32 Trying not to Think 40:28 The Crime Itself 44:29 Pointing the Finger 57:13 Make Peace We're with Ghena Hariri Episode 245 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/5Z_je2kTzi0 We discuss the feeling of void that comes with untimely and unjust loss, and shared tragedy that brings victims of political assassinations together. We also talk about emotions that resurface when news of new assassina...
Feb 13, 2021•1 hr 6 min
I share my thoughts on attending Lokman Slim's funeral, meeting his family and the scar tissue we live with. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/GWBx1cezxDM Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Music by...
Feb 12, 2021•12 min
0:00 Intro 3:40 Six Month Marker 7:14 Paralysis 11:04 Curtailed Progress 17:28 Chernobyl Moment 27:56 Core Issue 40:12 Assassination 52:02 Will of the People We're with Bachar El Halabi Episode 243 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/R06-xHrrj9w We discuss the six month marker following the Beirut port blasts, the limbo / paralysis state we're living through and a "Chernobyl Moment" for Lebanon. We also talk about core issues impacting reform, Lokman Slim's assassination and a...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 5 min
I share my thoughts on the assassination of Lokman Slim, state paralysis and the only way forward for Lebanon. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/9aYQPYv2hcY I also read a section of my father's 'Open Letter to Rouhani', released two days following his assassination (see link below): https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304483804579286723620835720 Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.pa...
Feb 05, 2021•24 min
0:00 Intro 0:34 Dalal Mawad 10:36 Joey Ayoub 25:50 Carmen Geha 38:36 Samer Makarem Click to watch: https://youtu.be/KJLAvaeGNMQ We're joined by Dalal Mawad, Joey Ayoub, Carmen Geha and Samer Makarem for Episode 241 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the sixth month marker following the Beirut blasts, and the assassination of Lokman Slim. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeiru...
Feb 04, 2021•59 min
0:00 Intro 1:50 Misinformation 5:11 Win this Battle 8:10 Messaging 13:29 Policies Click to watch: https://youtu.be/FXLQn4ws274 We're with Dr. Hanina Abi Nader Episode 240 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss COVID-19, the need to continue to take precautions and battling widespread misinformation against vaccines. Dr. Hanina Abi Nader is a general practitioner. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://ww...
Feb 02, 2021•18 min
