

The Take
Al Jazeera
The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2024 • 22min
Another Take: Can Korean sea women survive climate change?
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 9th, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Korean “sea women,” or the Haenyeo, have made a living freediving off Jeju Island for centuries. Many of them supported entire families with their harvest and became part of an ancient tradition of female breadwinners in Korea since the 17th century. They played a vital role in the island’s recovery through colonialism and the Cold War. But now, with rising sea temperatures and decreasing harvests, will we see this tradition disappear? In this episode: Anna Kook, (@annakook), AJ+ Field Reporter Episode credits: This episode was updated by Fahrinisa Campana and Joe Plourde. The original production team was Khaled Soltan with Miranda Lin and host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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, Threads and YouTube

Mar 29, 2024 • 22min
The meaning of Easter in Palestine
Easter holds special meaning for Christian Palestinians. For Good Friday, we speak to a Palestinian pastor raised in Bethlehem who underlines the parallels between the Israeli oppression of his people and the crucifixion of Jesus at the center of his faith. In this episode: Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac (@MuntherIsaac), Evangelical Lutheran Pastor in Bethlehem Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 28, 2024 • 26min
October 7: Al Jazeera investigates
After a months-long forensic analysis into the events of October 7, Al Jazeera’s investigative team reveals its findings. What happened that day? In this episode: Richard Sanders, Director of ‘October 7’, Al Jazeera Investigative Unit Watch the film: October 7 – Al Jazeera Investigations Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei and Amy Walters, with guest host Kevin Hirten in for Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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, Threads and YouTube

Mar 27, 2024 • 18min
UN Security Council votes for a Gaza ceasefire. Will it happen?
The United Nations Security Council has demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. After vetoing three previous resolutions, the US abstained this time around. The Take looks into the politics of the vote, and whether or not it will change the reality on the ground in Gaza. In this episode: Anade Situma (@Anade_Situma), Al Jazeera Senior UN Producer Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera White House Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and David Enders with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li, Zaina Badr, and Fahrinisa Campana fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 26, 2024 • 17min
What does the Moscow attack mean for Vladimir Putin?
Russia has charged four men for the attack on Friday that killed at least 137 people in Moscow. ISIL-K has claimed responsibility, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed Ukraine. Putin is just coming off another election victory, and has long promised the country security. Will the worst attack on civilians in Moscow in more than a decade have an effect on his power? In this episode: Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Fahrinisa Campana with our host Malika Bilal. Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 25, 2024 • 19min
SpaceX spy satellites are coming to Earth's orbit
A US intelligence agency has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a vast network of spy satellites, according to exclusive reporting by Reuters, and sparking criticism from rival space powers China and Russia. What does this new agreement mean for the global space race? In this episode: Joey Roulette (@joroulette), Reuters Space Reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li with our host Malika Bilal. Fahrinisa Campana fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 24, 2024 • 6min
Brief: In Gaza, hospital siege continues as US resolution vetoed at UN
As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, we're coming to you on Sundays with a weekly roundup. This week: The Israeli military siege of Gaza's largest hospital continued. A vote on a new UN ceasefire resolution is expected. Israeli forces once more shot and killed Palestinians seeking aid. It is day 170 of the war. At least 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have now been killed. In this episode: Anas Al Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0), Journalist for Al Jazeera Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel), Al Jazeera Correspondent Hamdah Salhut (@HamdahSalhut), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 23, 2024 • 22min
Another Take: Is the 4-day week the future of work?
Every Saturday, we revisit a story that’s in the news again. This week, we're revisiting a global study that found a 4-day working week resulted in a high level of satisfaction on the part of both employers and employees. This originally aired on May 31, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Are we on the verge of another workplace revolution? It’s possible to work fewer hours and keep the same level of pay and productivity, according to results of the largest-ever trial of a four-day workweek held in the United Kingdom. Traditional work routines were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there’s increased demand for more flexible schedules. But in many parts of the world, even a five-day week is a luxury. So can a four-day workweek work for everyone? In this episode: Juliet Schor (@JulietSchor), Sociology Professor at Boston College and Lead Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Wen Fan, Associate Professor at Boston College and Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Kıvanç Eliaçık (@Diskinsesi), International Director for the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) Ignacia López, Chilean Labor Lawyer Jaya Dass (@Randstad_SG), Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment in Asia Pacific at Randstad Episode credits: This episode was updated by Fahrinisa Campana and Joe Plourde. The original production team was Miranda Lin, Khaled Soltan, Tim St. Clair, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. 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, Threads and YouTube

Mar 22, 2024 • 20min
Senegal won back its election, but who will win the vote?
Senegal’s democracy was teetering after the presidential election was postponed. Now, it’s back on track and slated for this Sunday, but what will the country’s voters choose for their future? In this episode: Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, David Enders and Amy Walters with our host Malika Bilal. David Enders and Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mar 21, 2024 • 20min
The strength and agony of Gaza’s mothers
Finding enough diapers has become an almost impossible task in Gaza, nearly six months since Israel’s war began. As much of the Arab world celebrates Mother’s Day, we learn what raising a family in a war zone is really like. In this episode: Eman Basher (@sometimespooh), Teacher, Writer and Mother from Gaza Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Miranda Lin with our host Malika Bilal. Zaina Badr and Sarí el-Khalili fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Special shoutout to Eman’s mother, Rehab Kullab. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube