Best Ayman Makarem Podcasts (2025)

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14,000 Babies - S2E12 16:23

11d ago16:23

16:23

The Israeli blockade on Gaza will kill 14,000 babies in 48 hours if it is not lifted. This was announced today by the UN. It has been 79 days since the total blockade was placed on Gaza, after Israel unilaterally ended the ceasefire agreement they signed with Hamas. It is impossible to deny what is being painfully and maliciously enacted on a daily…

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The Worst Thing Elon Musk Ever Did - S2E11 24:51

15d ago24:51

24:51

Elon Musk is one of the most dangerous men alive today. But he didn't come out of nowhere. In this episode I talk about one thing that he's done, that I think most people don't even know he did. To me, it's amongst the worst of it all. Note: When I list some of the wort things he's done, I forget to mention his creation and involvement in DOGE, whi…

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It's Been a Minute - S2E10 18:36

26d ago18:36

18:36

I've been a bit absent from this podcast the last couple of weeks. I share why - which amounts to some pretty good, interesting news. One thing I forgot to mention in the episode is that I've also been arranging a few interviews for this podcast by really really cool people, so stay tuned for that. Anyway, I guess the crunch is over, so I'll go bac…

1
Announcement - Lebanese Films Screenings 24:35

1M ago24:35

24:35

This is a special announcement episode broadcast on all FTP channels. We at FTP are hosting a series of weekly film screenings and discussions on the Lebanese wars starting this Sunday April 20. In this short episode, Elia and Ayman go through the list of films they selected, what you can expect from the screenings, and how you can participate. To …

1
We Are All Deeply Unwell - S2E9 40:44

1M ago40:44

40:44

Going back to basics for this episode. I talk about how sad I've been, how so many of us are unwell, and how we should talk about it more. -- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Self-Defence, Pre-emptive Strikes, and Human Shield - S2E8 32:22

2M ago32:22

32:22

I'm just so damn mortified by the daily massacres. The images. The wailing screams. The f*scist apologia. This was recorded on Wednesday, April 3th. -- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Schadenfreud is bad politics 38:31

2M ago38:31

38:31

Joy at others misfortunes. It's fine when it's punching up, but I've noticed it too often be used to punch down. I talk about it. Headlines: - Israel kills two more journalists in Gaza: Hussam Shabbat and Mohammad Mansour - Protests seize Turkey after Erdogan's latest power grab -- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Become a member of…

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My Next Video Essay - S2E6 59:16

2M ago59:16

59:16

I talk about the idea that I have for the next video essay. -- -- Support Ali's Go Fund Me -- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

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What's Really Happening in Syria 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

There were numerous massacres that happening in the Syrian coast over the last week. I talk about them, share some information that I have about them and the reactions to them. I also provide some context to recent developments in Syria which I think too many are confused by and even more are coopting for ideological purposes. Here's some additiona…

1
My Therapist Broke Up With Me - S2E4 43:30

3M ago43:30

43:30

Just a personal rant about feeling sad that my therapist can no longer do sessions with me. I also share some thoughts about why therapy was so useful/helpful for me, especially in this present moment of despair and gloom. Headlines: Zelensky v. Trump, Vance; Israeli aggression on Syria. -- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Become a member…

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S2E3 - Lebanon: Sovereignty without Liberation 56:54

3M ago56:54

56:54

A LOT has happened in Lebanon (and the region) in the last few months. This is the first of many episodes where I try to unpack not just the situation of Lebanon but the situation of the region as a whole from a Lebanese (leftist) perspective. There's a lot of moving pieces, a lot of history, and most important, a lot of seismic shifts that I think…

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S2E2 - Arab Anarchism: Remembering Omar Aziz 38:30

4M ago38:30

38:30

On Feb 16, 2013, the revolutionary Syrian anarchist Omar Aziz was martyred by the Assad regime. His legacy and actions, specifically around the local councils during the Syrian revolution, will be commemorated in events and talks held around the world on Feb 16, 2025. Here is a link with texts, resources, and dates: https://rememberomaraziz.net/ He…

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S2E1 - When The Political is Personal 41:43

4M ago41:43

41:43

New season! Same format! Not much will change with breaking up this podcast into seasons, it's just more helpful for planning/organizing. I am going to take the opportunity to try to regularise some of the formats I was playing with towards the end there. Announcement: - New Podcast: Mutual Aid Podcast Headlines: - Musk and 4chan - Lebanon ceasefir…

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Video Essay Announcement 14:03

4M ago14:03

14:03

It's finally happening. I finished the video essay. There's a live drop happening on Patreon on Sunday 26th at 8pm CET. Ayman will be in the live chat. Join us! Link to the Video Essay Free for members, available for one-time purchase for anyone else!

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Existentialism in the Age of Genocide 32:08

5M ago32:08

32:08

Even when things feel pointless, we have to keep going. We have to give our actions meaning. Whether it's our own individual contributions or the movements we participate in, we can't completely lose hope in their possible impact and meaning. I think doing so is giving our enemies an unnecessary victory over us. --- --- Leave me a tip in my ⁠Tip Ja…

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54. One Year of Politically Depressed 35:09

5M ago35:09

35:09

Today it is officially one year exactly since I started this podcast. I look back and reflect on this year and talk about the year ahead. What has changed, what has stayed pretty much the same, what has gotten much worse? I ask these questions at the political, personal and polito-personal (to coin a term) level. Thank you to everyone who has liste…

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53. Sometimes the personal isn't political 27:36

5M ago27:36

27:36

So I got rejected from yet another writing grant. But I persist. From now I'm gna focus on doing my work and hoping those listening/reading appreciate enough/are able to support me. This episode is basically a free-association personal ramble about stuff I've been thinking about re my work and what I'm reluctantly calling 'diasporic discomforts'. V…

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52. Long Live the Syrian Revolution 29:16

6M ago29:16

29:16

It's finally happened. After 13 years of struggle, the Syrian people emerge victorious. What started as military operations in the north quickly escalated into country-wide revolt, built on decades of resentment, organising and, counter-revolutionary violence. Prisons liberated, Assad fled, and for the first time, in over a decade, Syrians are cele…

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51. Ceasefire in Lebanon 29:33

6M ago29:33

29:33

These horrible two months seem to have come to an end. At least for the time being. A brief bittersweet moment amongst all the horribleness. I share they thoughts and reflections about the ceasefire deal that was announced just two days ago. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member o…

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50. Hitting Rock Bottom or: How to Resist Despair 31:50

6M ago31:50

31:50

I've been doing terribly. All of us are. But I can't go on like this. I will not cede them this victory. This is possibly my most personal episode yet as I try to make sense of it all. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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49. Germany is Doing Fascism (Again) /w Doqsi 1:28:44

7M ago1:28:44

1:28:44

What was meant to be a reflection on The Peoples Want festival ended up being a long discussion of how insane Germany has become. Doqsi (Egyptian living in Berlin) shares their experience and analysis of the current situation of the Palestine solidarity movement in Berlin as well as the intense and white supremacist crackdown from the state, the me…

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48. The Peoples Want: Building Internationalism From Below 1:08:11

7M ago1:08:11

1:08:11

I had the extreme pleasure of spending the last week discussing and organizing with a group of activists and revolutionaries from across the global south. This happened at a conference hosted by The Peoples Want, a collective working on building genuine, strong internationalist bonds between struggles across the globe. Holding these conversations w…

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47. The Genocidal Limits of Liberalism 40:22

8M ago40:22

40:22

What is liberalism? Who are liberals? Where do they stand in relation to the colonies? Where do they on genocide? I think the answer to the last question is pretty obvious to anyone paying attention over the last year. But regardless, I thought I'd do an episode sharing my reflections and understanding of liberalism, as a historical movement and po…

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46. Where are the Arabs? 1:03:58

8M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

A question people have asked over the last year (and half a century). A constant mark of shame for the entire 'arab world' but also the beginning into a very serious inquiry - which I would contest has radical potentials that have yet to be fully explored. As I develop my next video essay, on this very topic, I'm doing this episode to just explore …

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45. The End-Game is Apocalypse 24:04

8M ago24:04

24:04

It's so difficult to speak. Confirming in words what we know, but cannot believe, is happening. Lebanon, my home, has been subjected to an unfathomable aggression by Israel over the last week. Over 1600 people have been killed, thousands more injured, and approximately 1 million people internally displaced! Almost all of this in almost two weeks. I…

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44. Queer Mutual Aid Lebanon 26:13

8M ago26:13

26:13

The criminal and vile escalation of Israel's aggression in Lebanon has forced 10s of thousands to flee the South. In lieu of a government, organizations, grassroots groups, and local communities have been stepping in and doing, essentially, the government's work - to provide for and protect its population. I'm dedicating this episode to talking abo…

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43. Israel Wages War on Lebanon 39:36

8M ago39:36

39:36

569 people killed in 2 days in Lebanon by the same people committing genocide in Gaza and moving to annex the West Bank. The Israelis are truly unhinged. Their aggression on the south of Lebanon has steadily increased over the last year. But yesterday was different. I provide an overview of what happened yesterday, Sept 23rd, and demonstrate that t…

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42. Israel Escalates Aggression on Lebanon 37:11

8M ago37:11

37:11

In the last 4 days, Israel has essentially declared war on all of Lebanon. With its mass electronic terrorist attack on Sept 17, followed by similar attacks the following down, and yesterday, Sept 20, they attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut with a bunker buster bomb. All told, Israel has killed more than 70 people and injured thousands of othe…

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41. The Sabra and Shatila Massacre 47:25

9M ago47:25

47:25

42 years ago today, far-right anti-Palestinian Christian militias in Lebanon committed the most horrendous massacre of the 15-year long Lebanese civil wars. With the heavy support of Israeli forces, who were occupying Beirut at the time, these militias (most notably the Lebanese Forces) killed up to 3500 Palestinians and Lebanese over 3 days. In th…

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40. Against Against Hate 40:39

9M ago40:39

40:39

'Hate' is a terrible way of understanding fascism and all forms of bigotry. Claiming to be against it seems to be more of a balm for the already protected subject, but does nothing for those that are violating, persecuting, and targeting by these violent structures. It is a moral statement, a pretty boring one, and not a political one. Despite this…

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39. What is Self-Marginlization? 29:16

9M ago29:16

29:16

Its a genuine question. Is it even a thing? Or is there a better term/framework?I also talk about how it seems that tankies have finally realized Sudan exists and ofc are producing the worst takes - with it creating harm and distractions. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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38. Comradery as a Verb 28:06

10M ago28:06

28:06

'Organize' is one of those words thats used a lot but needs to be critically examined for each respective situation, space, struggle etc. In building strong, long-lasting, and powerful movements, we need to make sure that the human connections within are built on trust, respect, and duty - especially enough to deal with conflict. I share my thought…

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37. Is it Impossible to Make People Care? 22:34

10M ago22:34

22:34

I'm so tired. -- -- Tip Jar: https://buymeacoffee.com/poldep Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fromtheperiphery

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36. Massacre in the Occupied Golan Heights 13:34

10M ago13:34

13:34

It's becoming increasingly difficult to talk about things, my feelings, my thoughts. --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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35. Zionism from the Standpoint of its Victims 34:31

11M ago34:31

34:31

In preparation for a video essay I'm developing, I decided to do an episode where I talk about the themes, arguments, and histories I've been examining and trying to synthesize. Definitely a ramble, but a potentially interesting one. Also, I have this weird tendency to emulate people's manner of speech when I read/listen to them too much (in this c…

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34. What are 'Tankies'? (and why we oppose them) 34:06

11M ago34:06

34:06

The world, especially the global south, desperately needs a strong internationalist left. There are some who think they're part of it, but are in fact doing incredible amounts of harm to communities that they de-facto erase in their analysis. These are the 'Tankies'. Is it white supremacy on the left, a conspiratorial world view, or just a lazy ina…

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33. We Cannot Normalize Genocide 36:28

11M ago36:28

36:28

It feels like fewer people are talking about Palestine. Has the supression of protests worked? Are people burntout, or have they lost interest? The unfathomable amount of violence cannot normalized. If it is, then its all doomed for sure. In this episode, I of course talk about G*z* as well as the nationalist mob violence against Syrian refugees in…

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32. There is no President of the United States of America 28:50

11M ago28:50

28:50

I watched the 'debate'. I watched U.Sians (esp liberals) freaking out. Even the NYT is turning against Biden. It truly is a shitshow, but one in which all of our fates are attached. We need bold movements to counter both rising fascism and this privelaged resignation (e.g. 'we're so cooked'). I don't know, this episode is also a bit of a ramble. It…

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31. Why Israel Can Never Defeat Hezbollah (or Hamas) 32:01

11M ago32:01

32:01

With the grim prospects of an expanded war in Lebanon, I share my grim Lebanese analysis. --- --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠

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30. 'Death of Bed #12' by Ghassan Kanafani 40:36

12M ago40:36

40:36

I've known this story for years. It has deeply affected my ways of thinking and understanding both myself and the world around me. I'll let it speak for itself for now, but I will probably discuss in a future episode what it means to me. I hope you appreciate this reading and apologize in advance for some of the clunky translations (the only Englis…

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29. Lessons From My Mother and Ghassan Kanafani 21:11

12M ago21:11

21:11

Witnessing the genocide in Gaza, and the barbaric violence of the Zionist state, has made imagining a better world near impossible. The question on everyone's mind, after each new massacre, each new escalation, is where do we go from here? How do we go on? What is the point of it all? There are obviously no definitive answers, but I talk about a co…

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28. 'Letter From Gaza' by Ghassan Kanafani 14:01

12M ago14:01

14:01

I read out a short story written by the great Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani. The power of his words remain as relevant as it ever did. I'll periodically do readings like this and of course open to recommendations. Read the short story here --- --- Support this podcast: Tip jar: https://buymeacoffee.com/poldep Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/…

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27. F*** Pride 24:32

12M ago24:32

24:32

I go off on one. I can't. As a queer arab, as an anti-capitalist, anti-racist, anti-imperialist, as someone whose eyes are bloodshot with rage and heart is constantly breaking over the ongoing genocide in Gaza, I thoroughly reject Pride in its most popular co-opted forms. Pride is a protest, not a surrender to and integration into white supremacist…

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26. Living in the Era of Collapse 27:47

12M ago27:47

27:47

I've been thinking about collapse for at least 5 years now. It's a formitive concept for me, how I understand the world we live in. I think as time goes on, as history plays its course, collapse will spread. It is very definitive in the peripheries, but not as clear in the imperial cores. Collapse creates uncertainty and new possibilites. Although …

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25. The Palestine Watch Party w/ israa abd elfattah 1:15:29

1y ago1:15:29

1:15:29

I sat with israa abd el-fattah to talk about the Palestine Watch Party, a series of online watch parties I've beeng curating and hosting over the last few months. israa has been a long-time participant and our conversation about the space both gives an overview of our experiences with the watch parties as well as gives an insight into how those con…

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24. The Lebanese Who Are Jealous of Israelis 24:39

1y ago24:39

24:39

Tweet anything about Syrians in Lebanon and they'll appear. Say that Lebanese people are Arabs and you'll hear them bark. Look at the history of the failed colonial project that is Lebanon, and you'll see them everywhere. This is an obviously provocative title, but an honest one; many don't even hide it. They're not just strange characters, but ver…

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23. The Kids Are Alright 26:29

1y ago26:29

26:29

The genocidal violence in Gaza is escalating and so is the response by students around the world. -- -- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/firethesetimes Tip Jar: https://buymeacoffee.com/poldep

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22. A Clockwork Orange, White Supremacy, and Palestine 30:16

1y ago30:16

30:16

A Clockwork Orange is not about human nature, it's about European fascism. This is at least my reading of it. I've been thinking a lot about it as we're seeing the European centre shift drastically to the right in defence of the ongoing Israeli genocide in Palestine. In this episode I share my analysis and reading of A Clockwork Orange that I think…

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21. Comedy and Liberation w/ Dana Saleh 1:23:34

1y ago1:23:34

1:23:34

I talk with one of my favourite internet people Dana Saleh. She's a Palestinian comedian based in Montreal who I've followed for years, and always knew we would get along great - and we did! We talk about comedy, Palestine, liberation, grief, and everything in between. I hope you enjoy this episode. Dana's Socials: Twitter TikTok Instagram Support …

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20. The Al-Shifa Hospital Massacre 22:24

1y ago22:24

22:24

The real extent of the Al-Shifa Massacre are still being uncovered. Every day new mass graves. Every day new horrors. All the while the genocide continues unabated. The white phosphorus is raining down on South Lebanon. Settler violence is accelerating. I don't know how to contain myself. But we can't look away, we can't stop talking. -- -- -- Tip …

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Ayman Makarem Podcasts

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