Beste Stories Of Our City podcasts (2024)

1
233: Resculpting History 2:29

1M ago2:29

2:29

Rewriting history is far from a thing of the past. And presently, Bassem Nabeel, a content creator in the Middle East, is putting a new take on the concept by combining his love for both sculpting and history in presenting neutral analysis of historical figures as he sculpts them in stop-motion videos.…

1
232: A Bright Idea 2:55

2M ago2:55

2:55

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Zidane Mitoubssi (Zee-dan Mit-wub-see) was a newly graduated college student entering a workplace for which he found himself somewhat unprepared. And then he and a friend had a bright idea.

1
231: Out of the Ruin 4:51

6M ago4:51

4:51

Beauty is worship, according to Kamal Aldeen Abu Halaweh. And ruin is just an ingredient for making something beautiful.

1
230: A New Life Cycle 4:12

8M ago4:12

4:12

For Radwan Hashem, cycling is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle. After undergoing a series of knee surgeries, the bike became a lifeline for him—as well as a teacher.

1
229: Holy Dagger 3:47

8M ago3:47

3:47

As an essential part of their culture, the dagger is sacred among the Bedouin (nomadic) people, according to craftsman Nayif Abu Muhaysin, whose family has been making daggers for four generations. As such, he aims to help continue preserving traditional Bedouin heritage for future generations through his traditional, handmade daggers.…

1
228: Small World 3:16

10M ago3:16

3:16

Ahmad Adnan Al-Eriqsousi’s love for the historic version of his hometown inspired him to begin to immortalize it through three-dimensional miniature models during his retirement.

1
227: Renaissance Girl 4:27

1y ago4:27

4:27

Even at the young age of fourteen, Ghazal Al-Madadha already has quite an extensive acting résumé and began reciting poetry as young as six years old. As a Jordanian national arts ambassador, she aims to empower other girls to make headway in Arab society and culture through the arts and beyond.

1
226: Restored: From Corporate to Creative 15:15

1y ago15:15

15:15

As a self-proclaimed small town kid who grew up on her grandfather’s farm, Aubrey learned the value and joy of hands-on labor from observing and working alongside her family. During a successful run in the corporate world, various factors—including impending burnout—led Aubrey to begin seeking a creative outlet to combat and manage stress. A chance…

1
225: 1,001 Signs 2:57

1+ y ago2:57

2:57

When Gazi Khattab began practicing Arabic calligraphy as a child, he would go downtown to study the plethora of shop signage and advertisements on display for guidance and inspiration. This exposure to the environmental street décor of Jordan’s capital city eventually led him to begin collecting and preserving old signs—some of which are now on dis…

1
224: A Cowboy Fantasy 3:58

1+ y ago3:58

3:58

When Sanad Albokhari was a child, he had two recurring dreams. One was seeing the ocean. The other was living a rustic life—like a cowboy.

1
223: El Camino (The Way) 19:14

1+ y ago19:14

19:14

Javier was only five years old when he was separated from his mother and older sister as they tried to cross into the United States from Mexico. His family made it. But he was sent back. After two further failed immigration attempts with a protective stranger, little Javier made a solo attempt in hopes of finally being reunited with his family. Cou…

1
222: Sticks & Stones 3:54

1+ y ago3:54

3:54

Osama Al-Issawi first learned how to work with stone from his father, who was a grouter, during summer breaks in middle school. His craftiness and respect for the environment eventually led Osama to seek to turn other people’s trash into treasure by upcycling various objects—namely cardboard—into works of art and décor.…

1
221: Hope Floats 14:14

1+ y ago14:14

14:14

Welcome to a new season of Stories of Our City—real stories from real people around the globe. This week's story comes from Lima, Peru. The daughter of Mexican immigrants to the United States who was born during the Great Depression, Gloria Aguilera Nichtawitz (Nēsh-ta-vitz) has a can-do spirit that perseveres. Coming from a line of honest, hardwor…

1
220: The New Skool 16:38

2y ago16:38

16:38

Hip-hop is more than a genre of popular music; it’s a global culture and lifestyle. Having left its mark across the globe in the last several decades, no place has been untouched—not even the farthest islands. Ireland is no exception. Irish native Stevie G, both a music and radio DJ and one of the many worldwide influenced by this global phenomenon…

1
219: Music to My Eyes 3:33

2y ago3:33

3:33

For fine artist Muhammad Abu Aziz, music and art—particularly that of Arabic calligraphy—share an intimate relationship. The Arabic calligrapher’s pen itself is made from the same material as that of the flute. And, so, the role of calligraphy in Muhammad’s eyes ultimately becomes “making rhythms on its own like music.”…

1
218: Lone Star Love 10:31

2y ago10:31

10:31

Although her collegiate studies initially brought Begum, a native of Turkey, to the United States, love is what ultimately brought her back. As one of only a handful of Turks in a small Texas city, this holistic nutritionist and expectant mother found that breaking out of her comfort zone was eventually the way to home sweet home.…

1
217: Culture Chameleon 12:42

2y ago12:42

12:42

Lucy Waja is a self-described multicultural cocktail who is a big fan of elephants. As a half Indian, half Sudanese native of the cosmopolitan capital of Jordan, a predominantly Arab country, Lucy naturally developed a love for other cultures and a knack for effectively navigating between several of them on a daily basis, being the daughter of a tr…

1
216: Frame by Frame 3:29

2+ y ago3:29

3:29

For Ribal Jafari, a multi-talented twenty-something living in Amman, Jordan, story is everything. As an aspiring filmmaker, Ribal is looking to make his mark in the world by getting his interpretation of the cosmopolitan culture and story of the Middle East onto the big screen. Ultimately, he’s seeking to expand the world’s perspective toward Arabs…

1
215: Soaking Up the Sponge 1:05

2+ y ago1:05

1:05

Many across the Arab world use the fully ripened fruit of the luffa genus of vegetables, of the cucumber family, as a soap sponge. But more than a decade ago, retired copywriter and editor Ibrahim Alfar, of Amman, Jordan, began exploring the application of luffa in other ways.

1
214: Broadcasting Knowledge 2:11

2+ y ago2:11

2:11

When Abood Aladham began beatboxing more than a decade ago, he had little knowledge about music in general and the local music scene in Amman, Jordan. Fast-forward 12 years, he's now the host of an Arabic podcast called Wallah Miaow (والله مياو), which currently seeks to spread knowledge about the Arab music world, its artists, and music and art in…

1
213: Meats & Beats 2:53

2+ y ago2:53

2:53

Whether it’s food or music, Issa Dababneh of Jolly Man Food Company in Amman, Jordan, loves to produce. When the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed the doors of his restaurant and factory, Issa turned to his first production love—music—and Pandemic Beats was born.

1
212: Footwork & Folklore 2:04

2+ y ago2:04

2:04

Dance plays a vital role in preserving Circassian culture and customs, as this indigenous people from the North Caucasus have been scattered abroad due to genocide and war in the 19th century. The Highlanders, the dance troupe of the International Circassian Cultural Academy of Amman, Jordan, aims to do just this: preserve its people's rich folklor…

1
211: From Heroin to Heroine 17:35

2+ y ago17:35

17:35

One of two things likely comes to mind when you hear the word heroin: the infamous narcotic or a woman admired for her courage and bravery. This week's story is one that encompasses both. Gretchen Courting first started using cocaine when she was only 15 years old. Later, followed a nearly decade-long battle with heroin addiction. Refusing to sugar…

1
210: These Walls Can Talk 2:34

2+ y ago2:34

2:34

When 14-year-old artist Zeina, of Amman, Jordan, was confined inside the walls of her house during the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to expand her creative canvas by painting on the outdoor walls of her parents’ villa to share her art with passersby and spread positive messages for all to see.…

1
209: I Ride Camels 12:23

3y ago12:23

12:23

As the world’s second-largest religion, and fastest-growing major religion to boot, Islam and the people who adhere to its tenets are still largely misunderstood worldwide. Sara AlZyoud, a Jordanian university student, relates some of her experiences traveling as a Muslim and some commonly-held stereotypes against her people and region that she enc…

1
208: Opening a Door to Heaven 8:28

3y ago8:28

8:28

For many worldwide, the Islamic month of Ramadan is associated only with fasting. But for Sara AlZyoud and other Muslims, this holy month is about intentionally connecting with God and their communities in various ways. Listen as Sara relates how Ramadan is “the epitome of family values” and serves for her as a vehicle for gratitude and sacrifice, …

1
207: Back in the Saddle 16:22

3y ago16:22

16:22

Hannah Walker was only five years old when she was first introduced to horseback riding at summer camp. And she immediately fell head over heels for horses. But when a tragic horseback accident occurred, Hannah hit rock bottom, not knowing if she’d ever get back in the saddle again.

1
206: The Walking Paintbrush 15:25

3y ago15:25

15:25

British native Christine Brisley is a self-proclaimed painting addict who can't imagine a life without painting. She considers herself very blessed by a God-given talent which became her livelihood and took her around London, throughout England, and across the world. When tragedy struck, Christine came to America on a month-long walkabout, or visit…

1
205: Singing for a Change 16:06

3y ago16:06

16:06

The global coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019 has taken a lot away from many worldwide. And it continues to ravage and shake the world. But for Katie Norregaard, COVID-19 also provided a once-in-a-lifetime chance to break free from routine, affording her the opportunity to combine her passions for children, music, and social change into one on…

1
204: Around the Table 13:30

3y ago13:30

13:30

In episode 198 from last season, Jocette (jō-set), an American expat living in Turkey, talked about her life there and her cross-cultural marriage to Salih (sä-lee). She is back again and this time dives into her lifelong love affair with food—a passion so deep that she even studied the subject at the graduate level. For Jocette, food is more than …

1
203: Spreading Love 16:29

3y ago16:29

16:29

Lance G. Newman II, aka Mr. SpreadLove, of Louisville, Ky., is a self-described renaissance man—and he has the quality, diversified artistic product to back up that assessment. But as his moniker indicates, Mr. SpreadLove is committed to more than simply dispersing his art among the masses; he is devoted to passing on a living legacy of spreading p…

1
202: Tales From the Underground 1:50

3+ y ago1:50

1:50

The long-inhabited city of Amman boasts many historical and cultural gems of the Middle East, one being the famed citadel. But hidden within the mainly monotone cast of this desert cityscape lie many modern, colorful gems from the emerging generations imprinted on the city’s winding walls. Alaeddin Rahmeh, a member of the local hip hop community an…

1
201: Mili in Paris 10:46

3+ y ago10:46

10:46

Mili and her husband, Deep, are passionate about traveling, new cuisine, and culture. Their shared love of travel is in fact one of the things that brought them together and helps keep their love alive. In this episode, as Mili recounts their latest adventure of an international move, it’s obvious she never forgets to pack her sense of humor. Mili’…

1
200: 200 Stories 15:46

3+ y ago15:46

15:46

Stories of our City was started in August 2009 in Beirut and has grown to include real stories from real people in 38 cities and towns on four continents from around the world. We do this in an effort to cultivate community and understanding cross-culturally. This current episode is extra special as it marks our 200th episode. But instead of simply…

1
199: Bottled Up 2:50

3+ y ago2:50

2:50

Though the country of Jordan may not be internationally known for its environmental initiatives and green living, one citizen is doing all he can to turn the tide. What began as a one-off project for Therwah Abdelhaq to transform a glass bottle into a piece of art for a contest turned into an ongoing green initiative called T Bottle, which has rede…

1
198: Love Without Borders 9:32

3+ y ago9:32

9:32

Welcome to Stories of Our City! This week's story comes from Izmir, Turkey. Jocette's (jō-set) story is a story that crosses continents and cultures and reminds us of the beautiful work and gift that marriage can be. Listen as Jocette, an American expat in Turkey, shares the challenges of a cross-cultural marriage with her husband, Salih (sä-lee), …

1
197: 15 Minutes with Fate 11:55

3+ y ago11:55

11:55

Have you ever had an identity crisis? Or a crisis of faith? For Harriet Dodea, her journey to find answers started with a move to a foreign country and a subsequent chance encounter with a stranger on the way to the bus station one day. This life-changing experience challenged her to wrestle through some deep heart questions and discover herself an…

1
196: The Lone Luthier 3:09

3+ y ago3:09

3:09

In the early 90s, guitars were hard to come by in Jordan’s capital of Amman. But instead of bemoaning the problem, local music aficionado Muhammad Khaier Al-Kukhun decided to be part of the solution—he made his own. Now nearly 30 years later, as the only known luthier, or guitar maker, in all of Jordan and one of merely a known few in the Middle Ea…

1
195: Everyday Fashion 12:11

3+ y ago12:11

12:11

From growing up in a small town where entering the world of fashion wasn’t even on her radar screen to becoming a fashion designer in one of the largest cities in the world, Canadian-born Megan Mummery is living proof that dreams can come true—even dreams you didn’t even know you had! With her OhSevenDays women’s wear brand based in Istanbul, Megan…

1
194: Painting Perception 3:09

3+ y ago3:09

3:09

Welcome back! The first story of this year's fall season comes from Irbid, Jordan. The street is Laila Ajjawi’s canvas. A self-described activist graffiti artist from Irbid, Jordan, Laila sees the mural as a platform for a message that transcends self, given its vast public visibility. For that reason, she pursues her craft with great responsibilit…

1
193: From A to Boutique 4:04

4y ago4:04

4:04

Since she was a little girl, Rasha Mubideen, of Amman, Jordan, always dreamed of being a fashion designer. But as she grew up and began to pursue her dream, she faced a culture that wasn’t yet as forward-thinking as she was. So, she did what any passionate creative would do: blaze her own trail forward—from A to Boutique.…

1
192: Home Is Where the Bookstore Is 2:26

4y ago2:26

2:26

Previously, we shared the story of Gaith, a street librarian who sold books from his classic Mercedes to spread reading culture in his native Jordan and to raise money for the first bookstore in his hometown of Madaba. Now, he’s finally fulfilling his dream of living in a bookshop.

5y ago14:38

14:38

It had just started to drizzle again. My family and I were headed to Richmond, Virginia, via Interstate 64, confronting a bit of rain along the way. We had just taken a timed family selfie at the Virginia is For Lovers sign outside the state welcome center, when a man on what I thought was a motorcycle pulled up—camouflage jacket drenched with rain…

Podcasts die het beluisteren waard zijn

Stories Of Our City Podcasts

Podcasts die het beluisteren waard zijn

Korte handleiding