145 episodes

Stories from the Middle East and North Africa, and the spaces in between. 
Kerning Cultures is produced by Kerning Cultures Network. Support this podcast on https://www.patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerning Cultures Kerning Cultures Network

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 454 Ratings

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Stories from the Middle East and North Africa, and the spaces in between. 
Kerning Cultures is produced by Kerning Cultures Network. Support this podcast on https://www.patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    So…what are we thinking?

    So…what are we thinking?

    If you have been enjoying this podcast, we want to hear from you! ⁠
    ⁠Understanding who you, our dear listeners, are helps us make decisions as we continue to grow at the Kerning Cultures Network. 
    Help us understand you better by filling this short survey linked below, it won’t take more than 5 minutes. We promise you a cookie next we see you. Thank you! 
    https://2ecvc26t60m.typeform.com/to/BW4yRgUt

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 59 sec
    Mo Amer: Stand-Up Comedian and Actor

    Mo Amer: Stand-Up Comedian and Actor

    We’re thrilled to share another podcast from Kerning Cultures Network with you: al empire.
    al empire returns for Season 3 with more stories of exceptional Arabs from around the world and their journey to the top, from comedians and entrepreneurs to musicians and media mavericks. This season of al empire, we’re also releasing the full uncut video episodes online.
    In this episode, we sit down with Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor Mo Amer.
    Mo always knew he wanted to be a comedian, and he has turned that life-long passion into an incredible career in stand-up, TV, film, and many other mediums. The star of Mo, Ramy, DC’s Black Adam, and many Netflix specials like The Vagabond sits down with Dana Ballout to kick off Season 3 of al empire. They discuss his early years as a Palestinian refugee in Houston, TX, touring comedy clubs in post-9/11 America, and how he hopes to “influence the culture” with his art.
    This episode is hosted by Dana Ballout. Produced by Finbar Anderson and Alex Atack with additional support from Ahmed Ashour. Edited by Alex Atack and Ahmed Ashour. Research and fact checking by Deena Sabry. Sound design by Monzer El-Hachem. 
    Special thanks to Majd Bani Odeh, and Quincy at Sacred Stone Media in Houston, Texas.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 26 min
    Aizen – Epilogue

    Aizen – Epilogue

    Since our series about 'Aizen' ended, many of you have been in touch asking for an update on his story. When we left you at the end of the last episode, he had arrived in Europe, three years after leaving his home in Kabul and travelling through a labyrinth of smuggler networks. He claimed asylum in the UK, but his case was in limbo... Now we have an update for you.
    This episode was produced by Al Shaibani and edited by Alex Atack and Dana Ballout. Fact checking was by Deena Sabry, and sound design was by Paul Alouf. Artwork by Ahmad Salhab. Batoul Khalifeh is our operations manager. Our team also includes Zeina Dowidar, Nadeen Shaker and Finbar Anderson.
    Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 22 min
    The Black Panthers in Algeria

    The Black Panthers in Algeria

    When Elaine Mokhtefi landed in newly independent Algeria in the early 1960s, she was only planning for a short visit. But she quickly found herself at the centre of a special period in the country’s history, as Algiers played host to liberation groups from across the world – earning a reputation as the “Mecca of revolution”.
    In this unlikely setting, Elaine moved in the same circles as world famous radicals, rag tag political parties, spies and military leaders. And she became an unlikely sidekick to one of the most iconic liberation groups of our time, just as it was beginning to fall apart.
    This episode was produced by Deena Sabry and Alex Atack, and edited by Dana Ballout. Fact checking by Eman Alsharif, sound design by Mohamad Khreizat, Paul Alouf and Alex Atack. Our team also includes Zeina Dowidar, Nadeen Shaker and Finbar Anderson.
    Elaine’s book is Algiers: Third World Capital
    Justin's book is Revolution or Death: The Life of Eldridge Cleaver
    Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.
    Find a transcript for this episode at our website, kerningcultures.com/kerningcultures.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 31 min
    Word on the Street

    Word on the Street

    Two stories about two streets, and the justices and injustices hidden in their names. Follow us to Tehran and Khartoum as we uncover two histories brought together by one common denominator. 
    This episode originally aired in February 2021, and was produced by Zeina Dowidar with editing by Dana Ballout. Additional support from Nadeen Shaker, Alex Atack, Shraddha Joshi, and Abde Amr. Fact checking by Shraddha Joshi, sound design by Zeina Dowidar and Alex Atack, with mixing by Mohamed Khreizat.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 35 min
    A Past Life

    A Past Life

    When Heba was very young, there was a knock at the door at her home in Lebanon. It was another family from the village, claiming that they knew her… from a past life.
    Now, as an adult, she still wonders: Have I always been Heba? Or was there another life before this one?
    This episode was produced by Dana Ballout and Alex Atack. Fact checking by Tamara Juburi, and sound design by Paul Alouf. Our team also includes Zeina Dowidar, Nadeen Shaker and Finbar Anderson.
    Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.
    Find a transcript for this episode at our website, kerningcultures.com/kerningcultures.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
454 Ratings

454 Ratings

Lalaloopsly ,

Exactly what I’ve been looking for in a podcast

I strive to be a lifelong student of the world - someone who never stops learning more about people, culture, and languages. It can be hard to find podcasts that explore the vast nuances of these topics in a sensitive, non-lecturey way. I am still working through all the episodes, but this podcast continues to amaze me with its depth and profound emphasis on the human experience. I deeply hope that someday they are able to put out more material!

Ughnicknames111 ,

Really great reporting

This is a great podcast 👍👍👍

ncantusethisapp ,

Wonderful wonders

I caught an episode on Sheikh Imam on “The Kitchen Sisters Presents” and I am grateful beyond words to the creators, reporters, presenters, producers, and crew who have made this podcast (and the “Masafat” podcast). It makes me so proud to be hearing theses stories from these perspectives and not one that is euro-centric, not of the “other” but of ourselves. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a precious gift and I do not think it is possible to measure the positive impact this will make on the people of the region, the diaspora and the world at large. In much appreciation for conserving and presenting the beauty and humanity of our culture, Nermin

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