We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

Bassem Youssef, Unlike You’ve Ever Seen Him, on Hope, Despair, and A Year of Genocide

Oct 24, 2024

Bassem Youssef, an internationally acclaimed comedian known for his satirical take on politics, engages in a deep conversation about hope and despair in a tumultuous world. He shares his personal struggle with recent events in the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the challenges of staying hopeful amidst global crises. Bassem and Mehdi discuss the psychological impact of atrocities, the complexities of media narratives, and the interplay between comedy and activism. Tune in for a blend of humor and heartfelt dialogue on pressing social issues.

36:08

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Episode guests

Bassem Youssef

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Bassem Youssef highlights the tension between delivering comedic relief and addressing profound societal issues during times of despair.

The podcast critiques the American political landscape's complicity and selective scrutiny regarding foreign crises, particularly in the Middle East.

Deep dives

Israel's Unchecked Actions

Israel has demonstrated a pattern of acting with impunity in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Gaza and the West Bank. The notion that further escalations could occur in neighboring regions, such as Syria and Lebanon, reflects a growing concern about regional stability. The conversation highlights instances of American casualties, including the killing of American citizens in Lebanon, and how these incidents are downplayed by the U.S. State Department. The sentiment suggests a broader critique of the complicity of powerful nations that often prioritize political agendas over human lives.

Intro

3min

Politics, Conflict, and the Fight for Justice

20min

Navigating Public Engagement Amidst Political Distraction

2min

Resisting Fatalism in the Face of Global Despair

2min

Political Disconnect and Lobbying Dynamics

4min

Comedy Amidst Crisis

6min

If you’ve been tuning into Zeteo’s flagship podcast, ‘We’re Not Kidding’ for the last six months, you’re going to find this one is a very special episode.

Bassem Youssef returns to WNK for an intimate and heartfelt conversation – one unlike you’ve ever seen on this show. It’s also a version of Bassem none of us, including Mehdi, have ever seen before. “I’m from a very, very, very deep point of desperation,” he tells Mehdi backstage at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre in downtown Toronto. The two met up for this special recording right before Bassem went live onstage for one of the last shows of his sellout ‘Middle Beast Tour.’

It’s been a few months since Mehdi and Bassem last co-hosted WNK, and with so much that’s happened since then and the US elections just on the horizon, they had a lot to discuss: from trying to be hopeful versus feeling helplessness, to witnessing the impunity of Israel reach new heights, to whether the pro-Israel side can be defeated in the media or in Congress.

If you’re looking for a listen that will resonate, that will make you feel seen, after a very long and hard-to-watch year, tune in now.

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