The Beirut Banyan

A special Independence Day episode.

We're joined by Professor Daniel Dennett for Episode 71 of The Beirut Banyan, and we go back to the early years of Lebanon's independence from French rule and childhood memories from the mid-1940s of Bliss Street and the banyan trees of AUB's campus. Professor Dennett shares stories of his father's assassination, his return to visit his mother in the 1960s and his most recent visits these past eight years including a semester lecturing at AUB.

Professor Dennett is a philosopher and cognitive scientist, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University.

The books referenced in the podcast are 'Breaking the Spell':

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Spell-Religion-Natural-Phenomenon/dp/0143038338

written by Professor Dennett, and 'Inside Jokes':

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/inside-jokes

co-written by Daniel Dennett, Matthew Hurley and Reginald Adams, Jr.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

Voices from the Square, Part 20 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square.

Elia speaks to Chantal Bou Akl - 34-year old researcher projects coordinator, and Nay El Rai, 32-year old university instructor and researcher.

Chantal and Nay share their thoughts on five weeks of demonstrating and why they're still returning to downtown Beirut. They also reflect on protestors' calls for political reform and preventing parliament from carrying out legislation surrounding the proposed amnesty law.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Zahra Hankir for Episode 69 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the lead up to the October Revolt, and the central role of women shaping Lebanon's future.

Zahra Hankir is a London-based Lebanese journalist who writes about the intersection of politics, culture, and society in the Middle East. She is the editor of Our Women on the Ground, a collection of essays by Arab women journalists reporting from the Arab world.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

Voices from the Square, Part 19 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square.

Elia speaks to Semaan Khawam - 45-year old painter and writer, and Roger Ghanem, 45-year old artist, producer and coach.

Semaan and Roger reflect on protesters' abilities to block enough MPs from reaching parliament (thereby preventing minimum quota for legislation). They also share their views on the ruling class' reactions to the demonstrations, rampant post-civil war corruption and the revolution now in its second month..

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Zeid Hamdan for Episode 67 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss artistic expression during the revolution, hopes for the country and what this moment means to him personally and for Lebanese history.

Zeid is a founding member of SoapKills. His band 'Zeid and the Wings' released 'General Suleiman', the song referenced and included in small cuts during the middle of the episode and towards the end. His most recent joint project, B'يT was scheduled for release in late October but has been postponed with the ongoing demonstrations.

Zeid has produced and collaborated on many projects in Lebanon and throughout the region.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

Voices from the Square, Part 18 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square.

Elia speaks to Sabine Kassouf, 45-year old organic food and health expert. Sabine shares her reflections on previous protests and why this time is fundamentally different. She also talks about the failure of the current political class, and why voices demanding accountability should be supported at home and abroad.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Joyce Karam for Episode 65 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss regional protests erupting in Iraq and Iran, and how their demands relate to Lebanese calls for upending the status quo and an end to rampant corruption.

Joyce is the Washington, DC correspondent for The National and an adjunct professor at George Washington University.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

Voices from the Square, Part 17 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from Martyrs Square.

Elia speaks to Zeinab Dirani, 22-year old project's officer who shares how political discussions with her immediate family members have changed since the uprising began.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Mira Minkara for Episode 63 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the protests, celebrations and hopes of the residents of Tripoli. Mira also reflects on local initiatives, youth empowerment and women playing a central role in the revolution.

Mira is a licensed tour guide and conducts her 'Mira's Guided Tours' on a weekly basis. Check our her schedule and tour details by clicking below:

https://www.facebook.com/mirasguidedtours/

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

Voices from the Square, Part 16-2 with Elia Haber for The Beirut Banyan, bringing conversations directly from downtown Beirut.

The second installment of Part 16, Elia continues her conversation in Martyrs Square with Lama Tabbara, 34-year old entrepreneur who spent twenty years in Canada and returned to Lebanon for the revolution.

Lama reflects on Alaa Abou Fakher's death and what it means for protestors demanding dignity and calls for national unity.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini