Podcast
The Take
Hosted by Al Jazeera · EN
The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.
125episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Mo Amer jokes to survive
Jun 1200:24:22Tap to summarizePalestinian-American comedian Mo Amer has spent years using humor to face pain, break silence, and speak for a people under fire. In a moment of deep loss, he turns to the stage again. What can comedy still cut through? This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. In this episode: Mo Amer (@realmoamer), Comedian, Actor & Writer Episode credits: This episode was updated by Noor Wazwaz. The original production team was Melanie Marich, Sonia Bhagat, Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Haleema Shah, Sarí el-Khalili, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Why Lebanon remains caught up in the Israel-Iran conflict
Jun 1000:21:06Tap to summarizeIsrael and Iran may have stepped back from the brink for now, but Lebanon is still under fire. As families remain displaced and Israeli strikes continue, why do Lebanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire with no end in sight? In this episode: Ali Hashem (@Alihashem), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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FIFA World Cup: the politics and profits of the beautiful game
Jun 800:22:46Tap to summarizeThe 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in history, with controversies to match. From the US mass deportation campaign and travel restrictions to the war with Iran, football’s biggest stage is raising questions far beyond the game. In this episode: Ashish Malhotra (@amalhotra2), Host, The Soccernomics Podcast Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Rick Rush mixed this episode. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our editorial intern is Jana Dabliz. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Brief: Israel attacks Gaza tent camp . 100 days since US-Israel launched Iran war
Jun 700:07:56Tap to summarizeThis week: 249 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 951 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel attacks tent camp in Gaza city. 100 days since US and Israel launched war on Iran. Israel continues to strike Lebanon despite ceasefire. Israel has killed at least 72,961 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Hani Mahmoud, (Ahaniabuishaiba), Al Jazeera Correspondent Ali Hashem, (@Alihashem), Al Jazeera Correspondent Almigdad Alruhaid, (@AlMigdadAruhaid), Al Jazeera Correspondent Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Another Take: How activists are fighting homelessness in Los Angeles
Jun 600:23:23Tap to summarizeEvery Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Los Angeles, California is home to the second largest unhoused population in the United States. As an end to the pandemic and eviction moratoriums draw nearer, we’re asking: what will it take to resolve LA’s crisis of homelessness? In this episode: Amina Waheed (@atwaheed), Al Jazeera Journalist Sammy Sumpter, LA Resident Joe Buscaino (@JoeBuscaino), LA Councilman Martha Escudero (@ReclaimingHomes), Activist, Reclaiming our Homes Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Priyanka Tilve, Amy Walters, Negin Owlieai, Ney Alvarez, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Stacey Samuel and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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The Ebola outbreak the world isn’t paying attention to
Jun 300:21:13Tap to summarizeA fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has crossed borders, raising alarms far beyond Central Africa. This time, the virus is a strain with no approved vaccine or treatment. As cases rise and governments scramble to respond, can the outbreak be contained before it spreads further? In this episode: Catherine Soi (@cate_soi), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Inside the billion-dollar business of getting a visa
Jun 200:15:34Tap to summarizeGetting a visa can be expensive, frustrating, and for many people, unsuccessful. So what happens when governments outsource that process to private companies? An investigation by Lighthouse Reports examines VFS Global, the world’s largest visa processing firm, revealing how billions in applications generate enormous profits, even when visas are denied. In this episode: May Bulman (@maybulman), Investigative Editor, Lighthouse Reports Episode credits: This episode was produced by our guest host, David Enders, Sarí el-Khalili, and Catherine Nouhan. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Inside the attempted cover-up of Israel’s Sde Teiman scandal
Jun 100:23:05Tap to summarizeA video showing Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian prisoner has shaken Israel’s military and judiciary, leading to the arrest of the prosecutor who leaked it. But as the fallout centers on the leak, and not the events in the video, what does it mean for the victim of the so-called Sde Teiman affair? This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 10th, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. In this episode: Nida Ibrahim (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Tracie Hunte, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq and our host, Malika Bilal. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Catherine Nouhan, Alexandra Locke and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Brief: Israel captures strategic castle in Lebanon, plans control of 70 percent of Gaza
May 3100:05:54Tap to summarizeThis week: 242 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 922 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel announced it would increase its control over Gaza. Israeli troops advanced further into Lebanon than they have in more than 25 years. Iran and the US continued indirect negotiations. Israel has killed more than 72,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correpsondent Obaida Hitto, (@ObaidaHitto) Al Jazeera Correspondent Resul Serdar, (@nida_aljazeera) Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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Another Take: Why is Australia trying to ban social media for children?
May 3000:22:09Tap to summarizeEvery Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 18th, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. The Australian government is set to implement the world’s strictest ban on social media for children. The law would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing sites like TikTok, X, and Facebook. It will be introduced to parliament in the coming weeks, but wouldn’t be implemented until next year. What’s behind it – and how could it work? In this episode: Tama Leaver, (@tamaleaver) Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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