A new branch of The Beirut Banyan. Our second episode with co-host Elia Haber, bringing conversations and reflections directly from Martyrs Square.

Expectations and hopes are shared from everyday voices. Elia captures the October Uprising with her second guest, Rami El Ali, a 37-year old professor of philosophy at Lebanese American University. Rami shares his thoughts on needed political and economic reform, his criticism of the current sectarian system and why he insists on immediate change.

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

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Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Zeina Saab and Munir Nabti for Episode 30 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss recent grassroots activity in Beirut, NGO contributions throughout Lebanon and what the October Uprising means to them.

Zeina is the founder of The Nawaya Network and a co-founder of SE Factory, focusing on disadvantaged youth empowerment. Check out the following link to learn more:

www.nawaya.org

Munir is a co-founder of AltCity and Pitchworthy, focusing on technology and social entrepreneurship as a means to reducing inequality. Learn more by clicking below:

www.pitchworthy.org

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

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And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

A new branch of The Beirut Banyan. Our first episode with co-host Elia Haber, bringing conversations and reflections directly from Martyrs Square.

Expectations and hopes are shared from everyday voices. Elia captures the October Uprising with her first guest, Karma Charafeddine, a 34-year old interior designer committed to environmental preservation and protection.

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

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And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Graphics by Sara Tarhini

We're joined by Tom Young for Episode 28 of The Beirut Banyan, and we get an artist's portrayal of a country he loves and considers home.

Tom is a trained architect and talented painter, and applies his appreciation for urban heritage to his paintbrush, reflecting on Lebanon's abandoned past and illustrating scars and wounds left open from from the civil war.

Check out Tom's website: www.tomyoung.com and visit his Instagram page to see his latest work: @tomyoungart

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

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Firas Maksad for Episode 27 of The Beirut Banyan, and we get a sober view from Washington on where the uprising in Beirut may take us.

Firas is an adjunct professor at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, and regularly contributes to various outlets on Middle East politics, including Foreign Policy. Check out his recent piece on the events that led to the current uprising:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/21/lebanon-sectarian-protests-forest-fires-self-immolation/

In this episode, Firas offers perspective on the dire economic situation in Lebanon, and what is at stake in order to avoid complete financial meltdown. He also shares his analysis on the political calculations of domestic parties in light of street protests, and who stands to gain from potential reshuffling within the Lebanese state.

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

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Tarek Mitri for Episode 26 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss his childhood in Tripoli, his political evolution as a student both in Tripoli and AUB, and his career that took him from religious dialogue and understanding through academia to several ministerial portfolios in the Lebanese government.

Tarek Mitri served as Minister of Environment, Minister of Culture and Minister of Information under several governments following the 2005 elections. He also served as an Acting Foreign Minister, and his role was highlighted when he represented Lebanon during the July 2006 War with Israel.

Tarek Mitri most recently served as director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at AUB, and officially ends his tenure today. This conversation was recorded days prior to the uprising these past two weeks, yet the discussions are pertinent to Tripoli's important role in both the Lebanese economy and polity, as well as current demands for genuine political reform.

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

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And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

My attempt at reflecting on the past 24 hours in words, shared in this episode.

We're joined by Nayla Tueni for Episode 24 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the important role of social media during ongoing demonstrations across Lebanon, and how traditional outlets like Annahar continue to contribute and pursue in-depth analysis.

Nayla Tueni discusses the legacies of her late father, Gebran Tueni, and late grandfather Ghassan Tueni. Pioneers in Lebanon's proud history of freedom of expression and thought, her father paid the ultimate price for his commitment to the ideals that paved the way for March 14, 2005.

Nayla Tueni is the current editor-in-chief of Annahar Newspaper. She also served as a Member of Parliament from 2009-2013.

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

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Chibli Mallat for Episode 23 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss prospects for a new Lebanese constitution. Chibli suggests what he thinks constitutional reform should look like, in light of renewed calls to remove confessional quotas and dismantle sectarian governance.

Chibli was a presidential candidate in 2005-2006, following the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon. He is a legal scholar and an expert on Lebanese constitutional history.

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

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Farrah Berrou for Episode 22 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss our shared passion for storytelling. Farrah is a member of A Better Beirut podcast team, and also recently started her own podcast about Lebanese wine, B for Bacchus.

Farrah is currently capturing snapshots from the uprising through her Instagram page: momentsofthawra. She also has a blog full of years of reflection about her life in Beirut: www.bambisoapbox.com

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

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Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.