The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

Episode: “50 Cent, Zelenskyy and Trump: A Christmas Q&A Special”

Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Yalda Hakim (A) and Richard Engel (B)
Podcast by: Sky News

Overview

In this special Christmas Q&A episode, veteran correspondents Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel switch gears from frontline reporting to answer listener questions, both serious and light-hearted. Reflecting on a dramatic year in global affairs, they discuss the impact of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, encounters with world leaders, and the ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza. The hosts also share personal anecdotes about the rigors of journalism, resilience, family, and favorite comforts, before wrapping up with rapid-fire questions and predictions for the year ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Story of 2025

(03:28 – 05:35)

• Richard:
  • “The defining story was absolutely Donald Trump. The rise of Donald Trump, his desire to bend the United States and the rest of the world to his will, and his astonishing amount of success so far at doing just that from a world perspective.”
  • Recalls the encounter between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office, calling it an "ambush" and reflecting on the implications for Ukraine and global stability.
  • “You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War 3.”
• Yalda:
  • Agrees, adding that Trump’s return also heavily affected Gaza ceasefire talks and broader foreign policy.
  • Highlights the interconnectedness of Trump’s influence, Ukraine, and Gaza as the year’s main threads.

2. Coping with Global Journalism & Jet Lag

(05:35 – 08:45)

• Yalda:
  • Describes her whirlwind 24-hour journeys through multiple time zones (Doha, London, Bahamas, New York) and how she manages sleep.
  • “I am like a baby... as soon as I'm in a moving object, I fall asleep. So the rocking, the white noise, as soon as I'm in that aircraft... I pass out.”
  • Recommends adjusting to the new local time and avoiding naps or coffee upon arrival.
• Richard:
  • Recommends, “Don’t nap,” and to “push through on the first day.”
  • Admits to being a poor sleeper: “I move around, I get up, I sometimes sleep on the floor then move to the couch… it's chaos, it's circus wherever I am at night.”
  • Occasional use of melatonin and a glass of red wine.

3. Maintaining Positivity Amid Conflict Reporting

(08:45 – 12:25)

• Richard:
  • Addresses how to stay optimistic despite trauma and loss: "I'm not a depressive person in general. Even though I've seen a lot of terrible things... I try and stay positive by recognizing that...there are also beautiful things.”
  • Emphasizes gratitude and perspective: “Most people have it worse than you do... Most people live really, really tough lives.”
  • “When given the option to take the stairs or the escalator, always take the stairs. Health — without health you have nothing.”
• Yalda:
  • Notes how her son keeps her grounded and teaches her mindfulness.
  • “He'll sometimes call me out and say, 'Mummy, can you stop being on your phone?'”
  • Acknowledges dark moments but sustains overall optimism.

4. Hypothetical & Personal Questions

(12:25 – 18:15)

• Interviewing Anyone from History

  • Yalda: Charles de Gaulle, for his resilience and fearlessness during WWII.
  • Richard: Surprised, shares his appreciation.

• Alternative Careers

  • Yalda: Would likely have been a diplomat, untangling global issues.
  • Richard: Loves cooking (“Nothing I like more than sitting in front of a chopping board...”), but enjoys travel too much; considers archaeologist but doubts the loneliness of the job.
  • Memorable anecdote: Yalda recalls Richard serving her pork (she doesn’t eat pork), to which he jokes, “Rabbis would have just passed out looking at this dish...” (14:22)

5. Quickfire & Fun Personal Questions (“Lightning Round”)

(21:01 – 27:21)

• Favorite City:

  • Yalda: “New York City.”
  • Richard: “Istanbul.”

• Favorite Cocktail:

  • Yalda: Spicy margarita
  • Richard: Gin and tonic

• Death Row Meal:

  • Richard: “If I could prepare it myself... last touch of garlic and lemons and oil... but of course, they wouldn’t do that... So I would say, just give me a piece of chocolate.” (22:57)
  • Yalda: Pasta or pizza, ice cream (“Maybe some ice cream.”)

• Favorite Decade Lived In:

  • Richard: “80s, early 90s, anything pre-Internet.”
  • Yalda: (Initially evasive, but settles on) “The last one then. It was great.”
  • Richard (joking): “I don't want to yell to Hakimi here, but you didn't answer the question. I'm going to have to repeat it... you’re on my show now.” (23:59)

• Desert Island Artist:

  • Yalda: “50 Cent” (nostalgia for 1990s hip hop) (24:31)
  • Richard: “Amy Winehouse... She's kind of the groove that I like... when I come home, put on in the background.” (25:06)

• Book Recommendations:

  • Richard: “I mostly read nonfiction... history, religious history, the Middle East.”
  • Yalda: Stephen Kotkin’s Stalin series, Robert Caro’s LBJ biographies; for fiction, A Suitable Boy.

• Christmas Movies:

  • Yalda: “Love Actually”, “Home Alone” (but says her son Alexander was terrified!)
  • Richard: “My wife Mary… loves Home Alone. Like she has to watch that every year.”

• Personal Mementos:

  • Yalda explains her necklace: “It is a necklace that has my son's name, Alexander, but it's his Farsi name [Iskander]... But it’s... I keep it close to my heart.” (17:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Richard on Trump and Zelensky (03:28):
  “You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War 3.”
• Richard on resilience (09:02):
  “I try and stay positive by recognizing that the world, it does have bad things in it... And there are also beautiful things, and there’s wonderful things. And when you come into contact with those things, don’t take it lightly.”
• Yalda on motherhood and mindfulness (11:00):
  “He’ll sometimes call me out and say, ‘Mummy, can you stop being on your phone?’… My son has taught me to be grateful… to be in the moment.”
• Richard on alternative career mishap (14:22):
  “It was like the worst possible thing you could serve to someone who doesn’t eat pork. Rabbis would have just passed out looking at this, at this dish...”
• Yalda on nostalgic music (24:31):
  “I would go with 50 Cent or something.”
• Richard on comfort food in dark times (22:57):
  “Just give me a piece of chocolate… how bad can they screw it up?”
• Richard on favorite decade (23:49):
  “80s, early 90s, anything pre Internet.”

Final Predictions & Reflections

(25:21 – 27:45)

• Richard:

  • Foresees the “continued ripple effect of Donald Trump” but awaits a true crisis (“a 9/11 type of event… or even Katrina”) to test his leadership.
  • “When that branch snaps and there has to be a reaction… I think it could be very profound.”

• Yalda:

  • Notes every president faces an existential crisis; interested to see how Trump handles his, especially regarding Venezuela and dealings with Putin and Xi Jinping.
  • Predicts potential regime change or intervention in Venezuela under the guise of counter-narcotics operations.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Defining Story of 2025 | 03:28–05:35 | | Managing Jetlag and Travel | 05:35–08:45 | | Positivity and Coping with Trauma | 08:45–12:25 | | Historical Figures & Alternative Careers | 12:25–18:15 | | Fun Quickfire Round & Favorites | 21:01–27:21 | | Predictions for 2026 | 25:21–27:45 |

Tone & Style

Conversational, insightful, and warm—balancing serious global analysis with humor, personal stories, and mutual teasing. The hosts remain candid about the challenges and joys of frontline journalism, family, and daily life.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a rare, humanizing glimpse into two world-class journalists’ lives—beyond breaking news, we hear their anxieties, routines, culinary slip-ups, favorite books and music, and their undimmed optimism. It’s a heartfelt, playful, and reflective listen—both for regular followers and newcomers.