Best Al Monitor Podcasts (2025)

1
How power is reshaping Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa & why he’s not ‘a Turkish puppet’ 52:24

1h ago52:24

52:24

Charles Lister, the head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute in Washington, argues that after five months in power Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the ultimate pragmatist, is adjusting to the complexity of governing his ethnically diverse and fractured country. This involves striking deals with the Kurds and Druze that fly in the…

1
US diplomacy can end sectarian clashes between Druze, Syrian government forces 19:38

7d ago19:38

19:38

Makram Rabah, an assistant professor at the American University in Beirut, says that Syria's interim president lacks the power to control his own army and that Washington needs to engage with Syria's new government to help defuse sectarian violence and for peace to prevail in the war-ravaged country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy …

1
Jeremy Vine | Relationships with your Dad vs Being a Dad 42:08

15d ago42:08

42:08

JK speaks to Radio legend Jeremy Vine about the different stages of being a parent, relationships with your dad and his new book. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/gro…

1
Gaza's children bear brunt of Israeli impunity, says Arwa Damon 22:55

16d ago22:55

22:55

Starvation, disease, mutilation and death have become the norm for children in Gaza, says Arwa Damon, founder of the INARA charity. She warns that aid workers, journalists and medics are also being targeted, making it nearly impossible to deliver relief to children trapped in a cycle of despair. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C…

1
Chris McCausland | Parenting Blind (Literally) 48:41

30d ago48:41

48:41

Comedian Chris McCausland joins Al in the studio to talk about what parenting is like when you're doing it (literally) blind, and about how risky he found Strictly! Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have you…

1
What do the mass protests mean for future of Turkey & Erdogan? 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

Since last week, Turkey has been rocked by mass protests over the jailing of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on thinly-evidence corruption and terrorism charges. These protests are widely seen as the most significant challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan since he came to power 22 years ago. Turkey experts Gonul Tol and Lisel Hint…

1
Chris Robshaw | Men Should Cry 56:23

1M ago56:23

56:23

Former England Rugby captain, Chris Robshaw, speaks to Al at Dadsnet about how important it is for men to explore and express their emotions, injuries, parenthood, and loads more. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet commun…

1
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will keep Russia in the game 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

Russia is seeking to keep its naval bases in Syria, viewing them as a vital strategic asset. Syria's interim president, a hard nosed pragmatist, will likely strike working relations with the Kremlin while trying to defuse tensions with Israel and win over the United States, says the International Crisis Group's Jerome Drevon, who has met Sharaa num…

1
Nicola Buck | Castrol Mission spokesperson - Astro Ants to the moon 18:00

2M ago18:00

18:00

Al speaks to Nicola from Castrol and Lunar Outpost about her latest space project sending astro ants to the south pole of the moon. They discuss the possibility of living in space in the future, how to prepare your children for jobs in the astro field that may not exist yet and why gaming could be more important than you think if you want a future …

1
French academic Fabrice Balanche: Syria's Islamist leader wants to make example of Alawites 20:26

2M ago20:26

20:26

The wave of sectarian violence that gripped Syria last week has marred the image of the country's new Islamist president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Could the government have done more to prevent it? French academic Fabrice Balanche says it absolutely could have. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.c…

1
Konnie Huq | Inspiring kids to be Scientists instead of YouTubers 17:21

2M ago17:21

17:21

Al speaks to Konnie Huq about the National Innovations Challenge. How can we get more kids into STEM jobs and whos job is it to inspire kids these days? Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https…

1
How Israel is driving Syria’s new leadership into Turkey’s arms 27:07

2M ago27:07

27:07

Israel's expansionist policy in Syria's Golan Heights and its support for the Druze and Kurdish minorities are justified by Israeli officials on the grounds that they are protecting natural allies and countering Turkish influence. Yet Syria expert Joshua Landis says Israel's actions are having the opposite effect, making Syria's new Islamist leader…

1
Russian mercenaries remain in business even after death of Wagner's Prighozin 24:16

2M ago24:16

24:16

Private military contractors are changing the nature of warfare as national governments outsource fighting to mercenaries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. None has elicited as much interest as Russia's Wagner Group and its founder Yevgheny Prighozin with others following in his footsteps, as author John Lechner explains. See Privacy Polic…

1
PKK leader Ocalan has the power to deliver peace, but is Turkey sincere? 27:06

3M ago27:06

27:06

Since April last year, the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in talks with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. The goal is to get his organization to end its 40 year-long armed campaign against the Turkish state. But one of Turkey's demands, that Ocalan’s concessions extend to northeast Syria where a PKK-linked group …

1
Strategies for Coping with Stress & Burnout for OT Practitioners and Students (Episode 134) 1:04:00

3M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Jonathan Miller, OTD, OTR/L, holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Arkansas State University. Jonathan has practiced clinically for five years in a variety of setting to include outpatient hand therapy, long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, and acute care. Jonathan began work…

1
Jason Bradbury | Giving Kids Phones 16:32

3M ago16:32

16:32

Al speaks to gadget man, Jason Bradbury, about when the right time is to give our kids phones, and about how they can access content without parental knowledge. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your sa…

1
For some in Iran, Turkey is a bigger threat than Israel as its regional influence rises 24:29

3M ago24:29

24:29

The surprise fall of Iran's close regional ally Bashar al-Assad has dealt a huge blow to Tehran's so called axis of resistance running through Iraq onto Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's loss is Turkey's gain and Tehran is increasingly worried about rising Turkish influence, says Hamidreza Azizi. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…

1
Gavin Rossdale | The Coolest Dad to Have? 36:26

3M ago36:26

36:26

Does it get any cooler than having a rock star as a dad? Bush lead singer, Gavin Rossdale, talks to Al about his new cooking show, and whether his kids really think he's that cool? Watch Gavin's new cooking show this February, Dinner with Gavin Rossdale. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or he…

1
What Trump means for Iran 24:31

4M ago24:31

24:31

Iran is badly weakened by Israel's pummeling of its Shiite allies in the Levant. Yet, unlike during Trump's first presidential term, Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has been mending relations with the Islamic Republic. Vali Nasr, a leading expert on Iran, says there is room for cautious optimism for nuclear talks to resume. See Privacy Policy at https…

1
Why Syria's new Islamist leaders deserve Western support 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

Nikolaos van Dam, the Netherland's former Syria envoy and an acclaimed Arabist who has authored several books on the country, says Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's new ruler and the leader of the al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ought to be supported by Western governments. The ambassador notes that the risk of renewed conflict remains high in Syria…

1
Francesca Amber | Law of Attraction Changed My Life 36:04

4M ago36:04

36:04

Al chat's to Francesca Amber, host of the UK's No.1 Self Improvement Podcast, Law of Attraction Changed My Life. Can she convince him? Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.co…

1
Will Turkey and Israel go to war over Syria? 22:04

4M ago22:04

22:04

Turkey expert Gallia Lindenstrauss, who is a senior fellow at Israel's National Institute of Security Studies, says Israel is concerned about Turkey's expanding influence in Syria with the rise to power of the Al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. With thousands of Turkish troops deployed in Syria, Lindenstrauss says an accidental confrontation w…

1
Top 5 | Worst Food Combos 9:37

4M ago9:37

9:37

This is a controversial one. Pizza and pineapple? Peanut butter and marmite? Get involved in the conversation! This episode is powered by Gtech. Find the best deals on Gtech technology here: https://www.gtech.co.uk/ Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.co…

1
Gareth Gates | "My time at school was horrendous" 31:16

4M ago31:16

31:16

Pop Idol, Gareth Gates, joins Al to talk about the mayhem of his early stardom, having a kid, and how his speech has effected him at every step of his life. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: h…

1
Top 5 | Things You Can Say To Your Dog But Not Your Partner 14:10

5M ago14:10

14:10

Lie down. Beg. What are the things you can say to your dog but not to your partner? We go through some of the best answers from Dadsnet. This episode is powered by Gtech. Find the best deals on Gtech technology here: https://www.gtech.co.uk/ Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Faceboo…

1
Scarlett Moffat | Good at Goat Noises 22:38

5M ago22:38

22:38

Al talks to all round lovely person, Scarlett Moffat, about making stupid noises with her kid and generally being a mum. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/groups/29865…

1
Turkish lawmaker Cengiz Candar: 'Turkey's endgame is to destroy Kurdish autonomy in Syria' 38:22

5M ago38:22

38:22

Cengiz Candar is a lawmaker for the pro-Kurdish DEM party in Turkey who has spent long years in the Middle East. Candar outlines how Israel has hugely benefited from the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, while Turkey — another big winner — is seeking to thwart Kurdish aspirations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv…

1
Top 5 | What Sound Don't You Hear Anymore? 14:41

5M ago14:41

14:41

We asked Dadsnet what the top 5 sounds you don't hear anymore are - is your answer in the top 5? Let us know! This episode is powered by Gtech. Find the best deals on Gtech technology here: https://www.gtech.co.uk/ Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com…

1
How Turkey is playing with fire in Syria with its backing of new anti-Assad offensive 26:24

5M ago26:24

26:24

French academic Fabrice Balanche, who has written extensively on Syria and just returned from a ten-day -long trip there, believes Turkey is paying a high stakes poker game in Syria through its backing of a Salafist group that has made stunning advances against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…

1
Shivi Ramoutar | Creative Caribbean Cooking 21:01

5M ago21:01

21:01

Al is joined by Shivi Ramoutar, TV chef and author, who talks about how to improve his cooking! Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/groups/298654160327022 Learn more abo…

1
Top 5 | Things You Spend Too Much Money On 14:41

5M ago14:41

14:41

What things do you spend too much money on that you DON'T regret? This episode is powered by Gtech. Find the best deals on Gtech technology here: https://www.gtech.co.uk/ Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to ha…

1
Grant Harold | Etiquette Advice with The Royal Butler 19:26

6M ago19:26

19:26

He was the Royal Butler, and now he is an etiquette expert ... can Grant Harold do ANYTHING to help Al, or is he a lost cause? Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/groups…

1
What will Middle East policy look like under the new Trump administration? 41:47

6M ago41:47

41:47

Jim Jeffrey, the director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center and former Syria Envoy under the first Trump administration, says in his new term Trump could pull US forces out of Syria. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
What is Turkey’s human rights outlook with new spy law, ousting of Kurdish mayors? 19:58

6M ago19:58

19:58

Human Rights Watch’s Turkey director, Emma Sinclair Webb, analyzes new legislation targeting journalists and civil society and the ouster of Kurdish mayors. The new wave of repression is being greeted with silence by Turkey's western allies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d…

1
Fatima Whitbread | My Bright Shining Star 28:08

6M ago28:08

28:08

Legendary javelin thrower, Fatima Whitbread, talks to Al about her new book My Bright Shining Star, based around children in care through her own story of adoption. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have you…

1
What does the PKK want from Turkey? 24:44

6M ago24:44

24:44

The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is holding exploratory talks with Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK, to end the 40-year-old Kurdish conflict. Turkey has made clear its expectation that the PKK lay down its arms and end the conflict. What would it take for the PKK to comply…

1
What does the death of Fethullah Gulen mean for Turkey? 31:02

7M ago31:02

31:02

Fethullah Gulen, the Sunni Muslim Cleric who was accused of engineering the failed coup to overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died in self imposed exile in the United States. Once feted as a moderate who steered generations of young Muslims away from radicalism, Gulen did untold harm to Turkey's fragile democracy, says Turkish an…

1
Izzy Judd | How Kids Play 21:25

7M ago21:25

21:25

Izzy Judd brings a bit of calm to Al's day, as they chat about kids toys, the benefit of wooden toys, and how different children play. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.co…

1
Russel Kane | The Best Dog For Your Family 52:53

7M ago52:53

52:53

Comic legend Russell Kane returns to the Dadsnet podcast to talk about his new book for kids all about dogs! He has loads of great advice on choosing the right dog to fit your family, as well as parenting, life, and loads more! Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www…

1
What are Hezbollah's choices after Israel killed its leader, and which way will Iran point? 22:35

7M ago22:35

22:35

The risk of a region-wide war is growing as Israel carries out ground and air operations against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and beyond. Hezbollah and Iran have been irreversibly weakened in this latest cycle of violence, argues scholar Lina Khatib of Chatham House. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…

1
Israel's war on Hezbollah: Why it's existential and what comes next 27:07

8M ago27:07

27:07

Jim Muir, one of the most seasoned Western journalists in the Middle East, has been covering the Arab-Israeli conflict for almost 50 years. Muir tells Al-Monitor that the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is unlike any other in the past, with unforeseeable consequences for both sides, as well for Lebanon and Iran. See Privacy Po…

1
Josh Connolly | How to break free from toxic parents 40:32

8M ago40:32

40:32

Author Josh Connolly talks to Al about his new book, It's them, not you: How to break free from toxic parents. Grab your copy here: https://amzn.eu/d/dydwbFS Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: …

1
Why growing US-Cyprus defense cooperation spooks Turkey 20:51

8M ago20:51

20:51

On Sept. 9, Cyrus and the United States inked a defense cooperation agreement, sparking angry reactions from Turkey. The agreement was signed as Turkey's relations with Washington remain essentially on the rocks. Turkey charges that the United States is using Cyprus to ship weapons to Israel, an accusation that Cyprus denies. However, what goes on …

1
Rev. Richard Coles 21:59

8M ago21:59

21:59

JK & Al catch up with music and entertainment legend, Rev. Richard Coles! Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/groups/298654160327022 Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…

1
Turkey's Islamists tried to topple Syria's Assad, its pro-secular military backed Syrian Islamists against his dad 33:34

8M ago33:34

33:34

Few know the true story behind Syria's support for Kurdish militants fighting Turkey. Turkish academic Behlul Ozkan explains how and why Turkey's pro-military rulers backed an Islamist uprising in the early 1980s against the regime of Hafez al-Assad, leading Damascus to open its doors to the PKK. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and …

1
Chris Billam Smith - WBO Cruiserweight Champion 26:57

8M ago26:57

26:57

Al speaks to the WBO World Cruiserweight Boxing Champion about the rise of the YouTube Boxer, parenting, and whether he would encourage his little ones into the sport. Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have …

1
FEED DROP - Dinks and Damages 24:45

9M ago24:45

24:45

New from Dadsnet, it's Big Daddy's Power Hour - and it features Al from JK & Al! Have a listen and add it into your podcast rotation! Join Al, Jack, Kayne and Neil in this new parenting podcast from Dadsnet - the UK's largest online community of dads. In this episode, they talk about their wives crashing their cars, how to deal with a difficult kid…

1
How did you decide on your kids' names? 16:03

9M ago16:03

16:03

Was it a joint decision? Was your other half in charge? Is it a family name? Is there a right and wrong answer? Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.facebook.com/groups/29865416032702…

1
Andrew Maxwell - Edinburgh Fringe & Doing The Bare Maximum 41:52

9M ago41:52

41:52

Al catches up with comedy legend Andrew Maxwell about his Edinburgh show, The Bare Maximum, and about how he translates that to his parenting! Check out Dadsnet on YouTube for reviews, jokes and loads more: https://shorturl.at/cinZ1 Or head to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDadsnet Join the Dadsnet community to have your say: https://www.fac…

1
How will Kamala Harris approach the Middle East if elected and what does her top foreign policy adviser Phil Gordon think? 29:52

9M ago29:52

29:52

While little is known about Vice President Kamala Harris' views on the Middle East and on the world in general, there is far more information available about the approach of her top foreign policy adviser, Phil Gordon, who will likely land a prime position in a future Harris administration if she wins in November. Omer Taspinar, a professor of nati…

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Al Monitor Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen