The Beirut Banyan

A conversation with Salam El Zaatari - producer, director & satirist, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

Discussing how to properly navigate and eloquently express emotions as they relate to political conflict, the use satire provides in debunking conspiracy, myths and state-propaganda, how misunderstanding of history and false narratives emerge from lack of political agency, a reflection of audience engagement from mainstream television to alternative podcasts, and whether or not religion plays a fundamental role in continued regional war.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

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@thebeirutbanyan

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www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:36 How to talk about the situation

9:38 Bassem Youssef

17:41 Media

35:55 History & narrative

44:44 Audience engagement

49:20 Religion

1:04:12 The value of comedy & satire

1:14:24 Q&A

A conversation with Mohamad Faour, Assistant Professor in Finance at The American University of Beirut, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

Discussing the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, the de-development of Lebanon's economy, best-case and worst-case economic scenarios given geopolitical constraints, October 17 in retrospect, windows of opportunity and using social media to express principles without shame.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:42 Here by choice

6:04 De-development

14:37 Somalia

27:14 Forecast

30:27 October 17

39:44 Power

47:29 AUB

57:41 The right thing

59:50 Q&A

A conversation with Fadi BouKaram, edited from an Instagram Live we shared.

Click to watch: https://youtu.be/kJzw2OpuR-M

Discussing the channeling of emotions during times of immense crisis, a look at Ireland and that country's own unique perceptions, offering benefit of the doubt when exploring multiple narratives and persuasions, reducing conflict to its basics and honing a certain patience abroad, and preserving ones principles while listening without judgement.

Apologies for the audio quality and ten second video blackout from 0:02:44 to 0:02:54

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:02 Channel emotions

4:56 Benefit of the doubt

7:24 Ireland & Northern Ireland

12:55 Connectivity

15:37 Reducing to basics

19:50 A productive role

21:52 Moderation

23:44 Source of a conflict

25:59 Listening

30:03 Skills honed abroad

32:49 Language and its abuse

35:32 Disconnect in context

Episode 373: 'All She Lost' with Dalal Mawad, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

A conversation with award-winning journalist and author Dalal Mawad.

Click to watch: https://youtu.be/BGjBJdTCNa4

Discussing the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, regional implications for Lebanon, the role of journalists during trying times and crisis, narrative vs truth, and her recently published 'All She Lost' covering the post-port blast aftermath and the story of women's strength and survival in Lebanon.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:08 The role of a journalist

5:33 A war of narrative

11:55 In Lebanon

20:42 'All She Lost'

33:12 After the port blast

38:11 Governance

48:44 Banned in the Emirates

58:03 Survival

1:08:34 Q&A

On Gisele Khoury's passing & October 17's anniversary

Episode 372: 'A Shining Star' with Matteo El Khodr, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

A conversation with actor and countertenor Matteo El Khodr.

Click to watch: https://youtu.be/4t_bYwpVVG4

Covering the role of artists in defending free expression, persevering as a performer despite all types of difficulties in Lebanon, and a unique voice that merges art with activism.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:58 An artist today

9:51 The beginning

13:35 Countertenor

19:18 "The most beautiful years of our lives"

29:04 Professional decision to return home

33:18 Decriminalization of homosexuality

36:18 Limited out of fear

43:39 Chicago Arabia

51:28 Lebanon being injured

55:31 Cosmopolitanism

1:07:25 Q&A

Episode 371: 'Twilight Cities' with Katherine Pangonis, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

Click to watch: https://youtu.be/4KAoSvi9BeA

A conversation with author Katherine Pangonis on her recently published 'Twilight Cities' with a focus on Tyre and Carthage and topics that transcend antiquity with modern history.

The discussion covers Phoenician city-states and former trade routes, 'capitals' once known for their economic and military glory, and links to a celebrated and shared heritage across the Mediterranean.

Katherine is a British historian and author of 'Queens of Jerusalem' and 'Twilight Cities' - available for purchase online and in print at Antoine Library.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:21 Begin with Tyre

14:24 Ancient Tyre

32:35 Carthage

43:05 What makes Carthage famous

47:50 Afterlife

53:23 Earthquake in Turkey

58:02 Archaeology in Tyre

1:00:46 Queens of Jerusalem

1:07:00 Q&A

Anger & Thirst by Rea Gemayel

Rea is an actress and appeared in Memory Box, Echoes & Le Départ.

Click to watch video version: https://youtu.be/mqLU-7CT_G8

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

GENXZ wraps up its first season with comedian John Achkar in a conversation that covers his personal journey from student-led politics to stand-up comedy, free expression that takes the written word on stage, the comfort & healing of performance-based art, & the importance of following your passion & pursuit no matter the cost.

The episode includes a reflection of this Friday’s third commemoration of the August 4, 2020 port blast, October 17 & March 14 uprisings in retrospect, & the sensitivity to humor when justice remains elusive.

Click to watch video version: https://youtu.be/5DKE6gKQZeA

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

8:30 Childhood

14:48 Power through words

20:10 Politics to comedy

27:10 Leaving Lebanese Forces

32:23 Earlier words & potential offense

39:23 Communication

43:23 Healing through humor

51:43 August 4

1:02:18 EverythinK

1:06:58 Outro

Episode 370: 'The Architect' with George Wardini, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

Click to watch video version: https://youtu.be/2BQ83aSzC7w

A conversation with digital content creator George Wardini that covers the design process behind the Instagram page PolyBlog & its opinion-based narrative born out of political activism, as well as a look at other platforms he helped produce including Wassil Sawtak, The Happy Hour Show, PolyTalks & The Square.

The discussion includes a look at particular posts defending marginalized communities while holding October 17 politicians to account, in addition to drawing the line at ethical concerns & limits to free expression.

We also talk about the future of PolyBlog & digital content ushering in a new form of political pressure, including comments by Najat Aoun Saliba sharing her own experiences with new media before & after the 2022 parliamentary elections.

George Wardini is a digital content creator.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

5:51 The architect

13:13 Design

19:07 PolyBlog

29:11 Marginalized communities

36:52 The army

40:05 Proud Lebanon

45:48 October 17

53:41 Limited attention span

1:13:34 Q&A