Join me and the hilarious Dave Merheje in this episode of Yalla! Let's Talk, where we dive into how the show 'Ramy' is still breaking stereotypes, what a second Trump presidency could mean for Arabs and Muslims, and the personal journey that led Dave to convert. (0:00 Intro (2:25) Dave's Journey in Acting and Stand-up (5:50) The show 'Ramy', relatability, & breaking stereotypes (13:13) Taboos: marrying a second wife, cheating, and romance with cousin (25:17) Trump President Again & What it Means to Arabs and Muslims (35:00) Why Dave converted to Islam and how did the conversation go with family? (44:27) Conclusion

In this episode, I talk with one of the Middle East's most inspiring entrepreneurs and talent managers -- Omar Hmaidat. Omar manages the largest creators in MENA and has created one of the the fastest growing talent agency in the world.

Most recently, Omar was named as Forbe's Middle East's Top 10 Talent Managers Making Movers, as well as Billboard's top 40 under 40.

At the same time, Omar is still a content creator and has grown quite a loyal following over the past years. In this episode, Omar shares the lessons he's learned throughout working with content creators and artists in the MENA region. Though this advice is in the context of creatives in the region, I am sure you will learn

In this episode, you will learn:

- Omar's story and how he ended up in talent management;

- What is talent management and what should you expect; - Why creative content is important in anything you do;

- How to be flexible in an ever changing industry;

- How authenticity always wins;

- What support looks like as a creative, from therapy to parents

In this episode, I talk with one of the most influential online voices in Jordan, Deya Elayyan. Deya is not your typical influencer - he studied engineering in the US before moving to Jordan, as well as he uses his platform to shed light on issues relevant to those who live in the region. Today, he shares his perspective on education, the title "influencer", as well as his experience visiting Gaza.

In this episode, we talk about the following:

(00:00) Intro

(03:48) Let's talk about the importance of education

(16:02) Do you actually have freedom?(18:55) How can you help Palestinians?

(31:35) What I saw when I went to Gaza...

(41:39) Conclusion

This episode was shot at Wild Jordan Centre in Jordan. You can check it out https://wildjordancenter.com/Production and Sound in Jordan: Latif Fityani and Mohammad Al Banna. You can find Latif on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latiffityan... and Mohammad at / m_albannaa YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT DEYA ELAYYAN:YOUTUBE: @deyaelayyan- INSTARAM: https://www.instagram.com/deyaelayyanYOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @yallaletstalk TIKTOK: @yallaletstalk LISTEN TO YALLA! LET'S TALK.SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ymbJTX...APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...ANGHAMI: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1034...

Did you know Arabic Music is the fastest growing music industry in the world? Joining us today is music producer (and legend, might I add) in Amman, Jordan – Nasir AlBashir. Nasir breaks down what the music industry looks like right now in the MENA region and diaspora, the challenges (and opportunities) for upcoming artists, and some of the best kept secrets for artists to make it big in the industry.

We also discuss the song Rajieen where various artists came together to show how music can be a form of resistance.

(0:00) Intro

(1:19) Journey

(4:40) Building Arabic Music on New Set of Rules

(13:24) Breaking Down the Arabic Music Industry (22:30) Best Kept Secrets for Upcoming Artists

(25:24) Music as a form of resistance - Rajieen

(53:50) Conclusion

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT Nasir AlBashir

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vibewithnassir/?hl=enYOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @yallaletstalk TIKTOK: @yallaletstalk LISTEN TO YALLA! LET'S TALK.SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ymbJTX...APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...ANGHAMI: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1034...#arab #yallaletstalk #jordan

A conversation with Jordanian actress, model, and filmmaker Joanna Arida about representation, fame after the Netflix show "Al-Rawabi School for Girls", and mental health.

What We Discuss:

(0:00) Intro

(01:35) How do you find motivation to try different things?

(05:15) Why is representation so important for Joanna?(17:05) Al-Rawabi School for Girls

(23:31) Joanna gets real about anxiety & mental health

(32:42) Let's talk about mental health in Jordan

(37:50) Takeaways

This episode was shot at Wild Jordan Centre in Jordan. You can check it out https://wildjordancenter.com/

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT JOANNA ARIDA:

WEBSITE: https://joannaarida.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/joannaarida/?hl=enYOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @yallaletstalk .TIKTOK: @yallaletstalk

LISTEN TO YALLA! LET'S TALK.SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ymbJTX...

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

ANGHAMI: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1034...#arab #yallaletstalk #jordan

Today, I sit down with the insanely talented Nai Barghouti – a Palestinian singer, composer, and flutist who's been compared to legends like Fairouz and Umm Kulthoum. She's not just about music; she’s about making a statement. In this episode, we dive into her journey, her passion for blending music and advocating for Palestine, and what it’s like to represent Palestinian heritage on the global stage. Oh, and we talk about her collab with EDM superstar Skrillex on the hit track “Xena.”Nai even gives us a special live performance of her song “Mum, Sing to the Wind” – and shares the biggest challenges she’s facing right now. This is one you don't want to miss!

In this episode, we talk about:

(0:00:00) Get to know Nai Barghouti!

(0:08:01) Why Nai chose to pursue music?

(0:14:24) Lebanon and Fairuz

(00:19:00) Do music and politics go hand in hand?

(0:25:45) Nai's Music and Sound

(0:37:10) The challenges for women & Arab musicians (0:43:38) Skrillex, XENA, and Palestinian Folkore

(0:51:18): Nai SINGS and Tells us about the song "Mum, Sing to the Wind (يما مويل الهوا)"

(0:56:18) Nai's biggest challenge right now Follow Nai Barghouti

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naibarghoutiofficial/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @naibarghouti Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/78XHgIjAv0tqb9hVRUsifgWe

thank you Marsm.ca (Canada) for supporting this episode and helping amplify all kinds of Arabic music.

In this episode, I sit down with Palestinian artist Lina Makoul to talk about life in occupied Palestine, the story behind her powerful song "On Mute," and what it means to be a '48 Palestinian.' Plus, an exclusive live performance and her bold vision for using music to elevate the Palestinian narrative worldwide. In this episode, we talk about the following: (00:00): Intro (1:25) What is it like to be Palestinian living in occupied Palestine (now known as northern state of Israel)? (04:35) Who are "48' Palestinian"? (09:40) Lina's Art: "on mute". Breaks down the song, the inspiration, and the music video. (14:48) "on mute": a live performance (16:15) What does this Palestinian artist want to achieve with here music?

Special thanks to Marsm.ca for supporting this episode and helping amplify all kinds of Arabic music.

"If you really want to know people, you start by looking inside their bedroom". Today, I talk to journalist and author, Shereen El Feki on what goes behind closed doors in the Arab world. We are diving into sensitive topics, such as the sexual evolution in the region, sex in Islam, and the experiences of coming out as queer vs. staying in the closet.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion that sheds light on what's really happening in the region.

Shereen El Feki is an Egyptian-British journalist and author, most notable for her book Sex and the Citadel: Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World. Shereen started her career in medical science, with a PhD in immunology from Trinity College, Cambridge, before going on to become a healthcare correspondent with The Economist and a presenter with Al Jazeera English. She is the former vice-chair of the UN’s Global Commission on HIV and the Law, as well as a TED global fellow.Note: This episode is not suitable for minors. Viewers discretion is advised.

In this episode, we talk about the following:

(1:47) Why is sex a powerful lens to see the world? (9:36) HIV in the Middle East and North Africa

(19:36) What does sex in the Arab World look like?(23:20) Honour Killings & Patriarchy

(31:33) a sexual revolution? No. It's sexual evolution. (33:36) LGBQT+ in the Arab World

(41:04) is there harm to living a life of secrecy and privacy?

(43:39) The role of NGOs in the region

(46:05 ) Sex in Islam?

(49:00) How did the Arab world become so conservative?