The Take

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on xx, 20xx. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Why does the public understanding of disability lag so far behind reality? TikTok influencer and disability activist Imani Barbarin lays this out for her audiences on social media, where she has amassed nearly a million followers across platforms. In this episode, Barbarin shares her perspectives on disability at the intersection of issues, including COVID and the genocidal war on Gaza.

In this episode:

• Imani Barbarin (@Imani_Barbarin), Disability Advocate

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Melanie Marich and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Melanie Marich and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tracie Hunte, Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz. 

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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Aaron Bushnell, a member of the US air force, set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, in an act of political protest over Israel’s war in Gaza. Bushnell livestreamed his death, saying he no longer wanted to be complicit in genocide. Two years later, how did his message resonate?

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 28, 2024. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode: 

• Talia Jane (@taliaotg), Independent Journalist
• Lupe Barboza, Friend of Aaron Bushnell
• Archana Kaku, Assistant Professor, The College of William & Mary

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. It was originally produced by Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra, Chloe K. Li, 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

 

Iran and the United States are heading into a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, while US military assets build up across the region. Is either side prepared to compromise, or is the confrontation at a breaking point?

In this episode: 

• Sina Toossi, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Melanie Marich, and Marcos Bartolomé, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke and Sarí el-Khalili. 

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

Mexico says it killed El Mencho, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Within hours, highways burned and violence spread across multiple states. His death is being called a victory, but removing a kingpin doesn’t dismantle a cartel. What changes now for Mexico, and what doesn’t?

In this episode: 

• Andalusia K Soloff (@Andalalucha), Journalist & Filmmaker

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Sonia Bhagat, and Marcos Bartolome, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

As US President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, we look at what he’s expected to outline, from foreign policy tensions and sweeping tariffs to immigration crackdowns, and the influence of the conservative blueprint known as Project 2025 on his agenda. What direction is he setting for his country next?

In this episode: 

• Amanda Becker, Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolome and Melanie Marich, with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Acclaimed author Omar El Akkad writes a powerful reflection of Western hypocrisy over Gaza in his book, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. We speak to El Akkad on the immense suffering that has occurred over the past two years of Israel's genocidal war and examine how Western liberals failed the people of Gaza.

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 10, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode:

• Omar El Akkad, Writer 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Duha Mossad, Farhan Rafid, 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

This week: 144 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 612 Palestinians in Gaza.  Donald Trump's Board of Peace met in Washington DC. Israel escalated strikes in Lebanon. Israel has killed more than 72,070 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

• Hind Khoudary, (@hindkhoudary), Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Kimberly Halkett, (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera Senior White House Correspondent
• Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders. 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. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

United States President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping tariffs against even some of his country’s closest allies. It has caused alarm from analysts, consumers and trading partners. But who will be the biggest loser of Trump’s trade war?

In this episode: 

• Vina Nadjibulla (@VinaNadjibulla),  Vice President of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sonia Bhagat. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Sarí el-Khalili, Marcos Bartolome, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.

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, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Sudan’s civil war is shifting into a drone-driven phase, erasing the lines between battlefield and civilian life. As Ramadan begins under famine conditions, how do the people of Sudan mark the holy month in the midst of war?

In this episode: 

• Hiba Morgan (@hiba_morgan), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Melanie Marich with Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Ney Alvarez. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Board of Peace is set to hold its first meeting, chaired by US President Donald Trump. On the table is the ceasefire in Gaza and fundraising for its reconstruction. Around two dozen countries have signed on to the Board of Peace – but many key US allies have not. Meanwhile, Trump has said the vision for Gaza extends “far beyond” it. Who’s in, who’s out, and what does it mean for Gaza and the world?

In this episode: 

• Ali Harb (@harbpeace), Al Jazeera Journalist 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, with Sonia Bhagat, Melanie Marich, Tuleen Barakat, and Maya Hamadeh. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook