The Kicker Live: Arwa Damon on Leaving CNN and Telling Stories from Gaza

For nearly twenty years, Arwa Damon worked as a journalist covering conflict zones across the Middle East—much of it as a prominent correspondent for CNN. 

But in 2015, amid the unending horrors of the Syrian civil war, Damon had enough. She left the network and founded Inara, a charity that helps provide treatment to children facing some of the most difficult medical conditions. Her new role has allowed her access to people and places she wouldn’t have seen as a journalist, including four visits to Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Damon joins The Kicker to talk about the transition from journalism to humanitarianism—why she reached her limit as a reporter, and how doing aid work draws on many of the same skills. 

This podcast was recorded live on the sidelines at ZegFest 2025, in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Read more:

*Learn about Inara, Damon’s charity

*Seize the Summit: Damon’s recent documentary about four young survivors of war attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Audio recorder and editor: Zura Patsia

Produced by: Amanda Darrach

Hosted by: Josh Hersh