Yalla! Let's Talk.

In this special series at East Tea Can, comedian Hassan Phills talks about how stand-up comedy helped him grow and connect with people. He also explains how he made a space for the Muslim community by listening to fans who wanted to see his shows but didn’t feel comfortable at bars. Hassan shares the important skills he’s learned through comedy—like how to understand a crowd and get better at what...

Thank you to habibi squad for the laughs and sharing with us some questions everyone is dying to know. They are real ones, make sure you subscribe to them!  @HabibiSquadOfficial  Yalla! Let's Talk. (0:00) Intro (1:44) One word Interview with Habibi Squad (17:51) Yalla! Let's Talk with Habibi Squad (41:30) If you can send one message to the audience, what would it be? YOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @y...

Join me and the hilarious Dave Merheje in this episode of Yalla! Let's Talk, where we dive into how the show 'Ramy' is still breaking stereotypes, what a second Trump presidency could mean for Arabs and Muslims, and the personal journey that led Dave to convert. (0:00 Intro (2:25) Dave's Journey in Acting and Stand-up (5:50) The show 'Ramy', relatability, & breaking stereotypes (13:13) Taboos:...

In this episode, I talk with one of the Middle East's most inspiring entrepreneurs and talent managers -- Omar Hmaidat. Omar manages the largest creators in MENA and has created one of the the fastest growing talent agency in the world. Most recently, Omar was named as Forbe's Middle East's Top 10 Talent Managers Making Movers, as well as Billboard's top 40 under 40. At the same time, Omar is stil...

In this episode, I talk with one of the most influential online voices in Jordan, Deya Elayyan. Deya is not your typical influencer - he studied engineering in the US before moving to Jordan, as well as he uses his platform to shed light on issues relevant to those who live in the region. Today, he shares his perspective on education, the title "influencer", as well as his experience visiting Gaza...

Did you know Arabic Music is the fastest growing music industry in the world? Joining us today is music producer (and legend, might I add) in Amman, Jordan – Nasir AlBashir. Nasir breaks down what the music industry looks like right now in the MENA region and diaspora, the challenges (and opportunities) for upcoming artists, and some of the best kept secrets for artists to make it big in the indus...

A conversation with Jordanian actress, model, and filmmaker Joanna Arida about representation, fame after the Netflix show "Al-Rawabi School for Girls", and mental health. What We Discuss: (0:00) Intro (01:35) How do you find motivation to try different things? (05:15) Why is representation so important for Joanna?(17:05) Al-Rawabi School for Girls (23:31) Joanna gets real about anxiety & ment...

Today, I sit down with the insanely talented Nai Barghouti – a Palestinian singer, composer, and flutist who's been compared to legends like Fairouz and Umm Kulthoum. She's not just about music; she’s about making a statement. In this episode, we dive into her journey, her passion for blending music and advocating for Palestine, and what it’s like to represent Palestinian heritage on the global st...

In this episode, I sit down with Palestinian artist Lina Makoul to talk about life in occupied Palestine, the story behind her powerful song "On Mute," and what it means to be a '48 Palestinian.' Plus, an exclusive live performance and her bold vision for using music to elevate the Palestinian narrative worldwide. In this episode, we talk about the following: (00:00): Intro (1:25...

"If you really want to know people, you start by looking inside their bedroom". Today, I talk to journalist and author, Shereen El Feki on what goes behind closed doors in the Arab world. We are diving into sensitive topics, such as the sexual evolution in the region, sex in Islam, and the experiences of coming out as queer vs. staying in the closet. Join us for an eye-opening discussion that shed...

Get ready to vibe with Shkoon! With the duo themselves, we’re breaking down their coolest tracks, what inspired them, and the meaning behind the music. Tune in for a deep dive into the sounds and stories that make Shkoon so special. Special shoutout to Marsm.ca for their support with this episode.

In this episode, host Hani Dajani talks to music duo, SHKOON, about their journey and how their music has a strong cultural impact, addressing themes of identity, displacement, and hope. We also talk about SHKOON's music incorporates elements of Arabic folk songs, Sufi poetry, and classical music, combined with modern electronic beats. SHKOON is made up of duo Ameen and Thorben. Ameen, origina...

Hani Dajani sits down with Lebanese-American Comedian Nataly Aukar. Nataly talks about her upbringing in Lebanon, what it was like moving to New York, the red flags to look for when you make new friends, talks about her career so far and opens up on what rebuilding Lebanon means to her. Nataly Aukar has sold out shows across the world, and performed a long side stand-up comedians such as Hasan Min...

In this special segment, we talk to former banker turned content creator, William Rossy (also known as Sprouht). Will is a Lebanese-Canadian that began his journey with his self-improvement brand in a way to explore a more meaningful life. Through the brand he built, he has been able to provide tools, experiences, and a community of over 2.5 million people to help them pursue their dream life. Thi...

In this special segment, we dive deep into the lives of Arab content creators in the west. Today, we are joined by 19 year old Khalil Yatim, also known as "Ozikoy" on social media. Khalil tells us what it's like to create content as a teenager, his goals, and why his relationship with his dad/baba is special. Guest: Khalil Yatim https://www.tiktok.com/@ozikoy?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/oziko...

Student encampments...Dr. Phil interviewing Netanyahu..and Eurovision. A lot has happened in the past couple of months. But how do these events change things? And what is the impact on us and the millions of people in Gaza? Helping us answer these questions today is Emmy-Nominated journalist, producer, and Actor - Ahmed Shihab-Eldin. Ahmed is a Columbia university graduate and a former Adjunct Pro...

In this episode, we are joined by fashion icon, model, and creative director, Alana Hadid. Alana is a daughter of a Nakba survivor, and she shares with us her family's story and her perspectives on how your voice can free Palestine. In this episode, we talk about: (0:00) Intro (02:00) why we need to talk about the Nakba?(03:05) what were the conversations like growing up at the dinner table?(05:15...

In this episode, I interview Dr. Marc Dagher, an addiction Doctor and expert in treating all kinds of substance addictions. Whether you choose to do drugs or feel like you're addicted to a person, this episode will give you insights on the world of addiction, human behaviour, as well as interesting facts on substances. This episode is important for anyone struggling with an addiction of any kind (...

The controversial video of Hayley Bayley's "let them eat cake", followed by her apology, raised the questions: "should celebrities be speaking up on Gaza?" And if not: "should we just block them for their silence?" (And also, "are we in District 12, living real life hunger games right now?")Today, helping us answer these questions, we have with us TV personality: Dom Gabriel. You might have seen h...

Today's guest is Dr. Yipeng Ge. A Canadian resident Doctor who was suspended from the University of Ottawa for his social media posts (might I add, he was suspended without due process or fair investigation). When the University of Ottawa decided to re-instate him, he chose to decline their offer. Instead, Dr. Yipeng Ge went to Rahaf in Gaza to provide his medical services to those in need. At the...

What is it like to be a Palestinian from Gaza? Was it like to be a Palestinian diaspora, which means you have left your homeland for another country. For us to be better allies, we need to hear people's stories. In this episode, we are joined by Farah Qaddan. Farah is an avid storyteller, published writer and creative that centres her Arab Palestinian identity in everything she does. Episode Break...

In celebration of Arab Heritage Month, we are bringing you an episode that dissects deep into an important part of Arab culture - the language! In this episode of the YLT Podcast, we have Diana Al-Dajani, entrepreneur of the Arabic learning plafrom,  @eduTechnoz  and the app, Loogha. Diana is a momtrepreneur who turned an idea to help her children to learn Arabic into the top edtech company for Ar...

In this episode, we dive into a discussion on being your true and authentic self. The conversation is through the lens of culture, religion, parents' expectations, and how to reconcile those forces in order to move forward, heal, and lead an authentic life. The conversation is with our season regular, Najwa Zebian. Najwa is a best-selling author, speaker, and a thought-leader on healing. She recen...

Authenticity and curiosity are some of the most underrated characteristics of leadership. Join the conversation as we discuss entrepreneurship, mindsets, and leadership with Rami Helali, the Co-Founder and CEO of Kotn, a B-Corp on a mission to bring lasting, sustainable products to our community. WHAT WE DISCUSS 00:00 Intro 02:01 what inspired Kotn? 07:21 how to evaluate your business ideas? 12:45...

We can't keep talking about Palestine without discussing mental health. First and foremost, we need to distinguish the mental health of those who live in Gaza to those in the rest of the world. This episode starts off by discussing the mental health crisis of the children in Gaza, and then proceeds to discuss the mental health impact of the rest of the world. We discuss vicarious trauma, activism...