Podcast Summary

Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know

Episode: Malala and Hasan Squash Their Beef
Host: Hasan Minhaj (186k Films)
Guest: Malala Yousafzai
Date: December 3, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode unites comedian Hasan Minhaj and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, finally addressing a humorous social media “beef” that began with an Instagram follow mishap, and deep-dives into Malala’s new memoir, Finding My Way. The conversation takes a heartfelt, honest, and playful look at Malala’s transition from international icon to college student, her quest for normalcy, friendship, her public and private selves, activism, and the complexities of being a brown woman in the western gaze. Throughout, Hasan and Malala blend vulnerability, comedy, and unapologetic truth-telling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Squashing the Instagram “Beef”

• Hasan recounts (01:58) his stand-up joke about Malala following him on Instagram but not vice versa. Malala responded via an Instagram poll: “Should I unfollow Hasan?” with 39% voting, “Who is this man?”
• Hasan’s Apology Video: He begged for a follow-back, which Malala ignored. This sets the playful, self-aware tone (03:00).
  • Quote:
    • “I then posted an apology video begging her to follow me back. I'm sorry, Malala, follow me back. She did not follow me back.” – Hasan (03:00)
• In the Studio: They confirm they now mutually follow each other and reflect on the absurdity of their “feud.”
  • Quote:
    • “You took a fight with the wrong person, so I think it teaches you a lesson.” – Malala (04:49)

2. The Duality of Fame & Normalcy

• Malala shares the tension of being both a global activist and a regular student:
  • “I felt that I was reliving the childhood that I missed.” (08:22)
  • She discusses the expectations to act saintly, countered with her need for fun and normal experiences—pizza nights, late parties, and embracing student life.
• Jeans Controversy:
  • Backlash for wearing jeans instead of traditional dress; double standards within her family about Western versus traditional clothing.
  • “I told my parents that I am not here for some pilgrimage. I am here to study and be as every other student. So sorry. I'm not gonna apologize for this.” (14:03-14:49)

3. Finding Friendship & Belonging

• Malala describes the value and comfort of true friendship, especially with women, and how it requires less performance and more emotional honesty.
  • Reading from the memoir:
    • “My friends didn't care about my thoughts on global events or what I wore. They accepted my quirks and contradictions, my bad days and chronic tardiness.” (15:46)
  • On female vs. male friendship:
    • “I think women listen to each other. ... I just need to tell her that it's okay. Let's process this.” (18:59)
  • Hasan’s Commentary:
    • “Male friendship would be a whole lot better if we could just find a way as adult men to say three words that I have never heard from any of my adult friends... Are you okay?” (20:14)

4. Humor, Identity & Social Navigation

• Fashion Adventures & Awkwardness:
  • Malala details Googling “Selena Gomez casual” before college, trying jeans, and her attempts to fit in.
  • “Selena Gomez was helpful.” – Malala (12:58)
• Favorite Games/Segments:
  • "Red Flag, Green Flag" relationship game. Malala’s responses highlight her humor and practical judgment (26:03–29:33).
  • Memorable moment: Malala okays eight cats in a 500 sq ft apartment (“Still a green flag.” - 26:58).

5. Complexities of Public Persona

• Constant Focus on Trauma:
  • Malala opens up about always being asked about the shooting:
    • “What do you remember about the shooting? When I said that I couldn't remember anything…as if it was impolite of me not to recall my fear and suffering.” (36:27)
  • Hasan empathizes with being reduced to a headline rather than a full person.
• Reluctance to be Defined by Trauma:
  • Writing her second memoir as a reclaiming of her personal story, life, friendships, and love (37:10).

6. Activism, Authenticity & Frustration

• Insider View on World Leaders:
  • Malala talks about meeting politicians and celebrities who treat her with “porcelain doll” delicacy and her efforts to channel every encounter toward action for girls’ education (35:00-36:20).
  • A striking passage about the limits of global outrage and performative allyship:
    • “The worst moment of my life had not been a turning point, but a pause, an opportunity for leaders to act appalled that the Taliban would dare to shoot a child, throw some money into girls education, and then return to the business of growing economies and winning elections.” (42:41)
• Cynicism vs. Hope:
  • “Sometimes I feel all of it at the same time. But I still carry optimism within me…” (44:32)
  • Maintains optimism through solidarity with Afghan girls fighting for education under oppression.

7. Navigating Western Gazes & Islamophobia

• Malala discusses how her story is often used to reinforce stereotypes about Islam or South Asian culture, rather than recognizing the agency of women resisting oppressive systems (40:08–42:09).
  • “I do not want people to see the Taliban or the extremists to be the representatives of our culture. Actually, I want them to see me as a representative of my culture.” (41:05)

8. Realities of Advocacy

• Failures of the International Community:
  • Malala is candid about the lack of Western (especially U.S.) follow-through on protecting Afghan women and girls, especially after U.S. withdrawal:
    • “It was heartbreaking because a lot of the leaders were not responding, especially the men leaders in the world.” (47:07)
• How Change Happens:
  • Moves from youthful belief in fixing things with “one meeting” to seeing the need for grassroots mobilization and persistent advocacy (52:32).

9. Malala’s Public Critics

• Comparison with Greta Thunberg:
  • Addressing online narratives that compare her to activist friends (e.g., Greta), and reiterates her focus on sustained, impactful work—especially for girls’ education (53:39).
• Haters & Palestine Criticism:
  • Frustrated by accusations of silence on Palestine; recounts giving awards’ prize money and continued support for Palestinian children (56:15–58:20).
  • “It just makes me so angry that people can be throwing hateful comments, but they are making no effort into, like, looking up what I have done.” (56:15)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Malala schooling Hasan:
  • “I think women listen to each other. … With friends, I could just talk about things. Talk about astrology, talk about boys. I just loved whenever they would just giggle at something I would say and they thought I was funny.” (16:14–16:50)
• On social norms:
  • “I told my parents that I am not here for some pilgrimage. I am here to study and be as every other student. So sorry. I'm not gonna apologize for this.” – Malala (14:03)
• On the paradox of advocacy:
  • “Can I change a president or a prime minister when I can't even change my parents?” – Hasan (52:05)
• On global leaders and performative solidarity:
  • “Afghanistan shattered the promise of progress for me. … The worst moment of my life had not been a turning point, but a pause, an opportunity for leaders to act appalled that the Taliban would dare to shoot a child, throw some money into girls education, and then return to the business of growing economies and winning elections.” – Malala (42:41)
• On being defined by trauma:
  • “As if the worst thing that ever happened to me was the most important part of my life. The living girl in front of them was not as captivating as the one on the school bus, a young dreamer about to die.” (36:27)
• On pork ribs mishap:
  • “You are a Nobel Peace Prize winner. … and you're telling me you didn't know that baby back ribs are made of pork?” – Hasan (32:00)
  • “It could have been beef as well, you know. … The moment I found out broke my heart.” – Malala (32:11)
• On haters comparing her to Greta:
  • “Are you ever like, mother, I was shot in the face?” – Hasan (55:37)
  • “People are saying that I have been silent on Palestine. That is actually false.…we have donated more than $700,000. And I keep doing this work.” – Malala (56:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:39–05:15] – Clearing the air, Instagram “beef”, Instagram poll, apology, restoring peace
• [07:14–08:22] – Malala on wanting normalcy in college, missing childhood, balancing fame with personal growth
• [13:29–15:16] – Jeans controversy, double standards in traditional vs. Western dress, parental expectations
• [15:44–16:46] – The meaning of friendship and acceptance in college
• [18:59–20:18] – Female vs. male friendship, emotional support, and communication
• [26:03–29:33] – “Red Flag, Green Flag” relationship game, exploring romantic and platonic red/green flags
• [36:27–37:10] – Always being asked about the shooting, refusal to be defined by trauma
• [42:41–44:32] – Limits of Western outcry, performative support, hope, and activist strategies
• [47:07–48:01] – Disappointments with Western leaders re: Afghanistan, moving forward
• [56:15–58:20] – Addressing online criticism, clarifying her support for Palestinian children, media narratives

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, irreverent, and deeply empathetic. Hasan’s humor balances Malala’s sincerity, often flipping the interview into moments of genuine vulnerability and spontaneous laughter. Malala, for her part, is remarkably honest and warm, debunking the media’s saintly, one-dimensional portrayal of her, and proving her wit, humor, and self-awareness.

Conclusion

Through seamless transitions from “squashing the beef” to the intricacies of activism and the immigrant experience, this episode is a testament to both the seriousness and levity required to live in the public eye. Malala emerges not just as a symbol, but as a multidimensional human being—relatable, self-deprecating, principled, and funny. The interplay with Hasan provides a rare chance to see both icons “drop the talking points,” and talk like lifelong friends rediscovering their bond.