During this episode Sophie Ghaziri talks to Elissa Freiha, founder of womena, about the metaverse and the role Womena would play in that digital space. How can we transform ourselves and our businesses? Is the metaverse a playground for the rich?

During this episode Sophie Ghaziri talks to Lina Khalife, the founder of She Fighter in Jordan. Domestic abuse and violence has escalated across the world due to the pandemic but in the Middle East it is considered a crisis. Lina teaches women how to defend themselves, builds their self confidence and teaches them techniques to combat fear. In 2020, a brief report entitled “Women in Jordan: Continuing Violence and Absent Protection”, Euro-Med Monitor highlighted the outburst of violence...

During this episode Sophie asks Amuna what she is working on and trying to achieve with her Black Arab Collective initiative. Amuna, an activist of Ethiopian decent, is working on educating and creating awareness about Racism in SWANA and how change begins at home. Why? because she believes that the way things are now, policy wouldn't be able to make a difference.

During this episode Zuhal tells Sophie what it is like to be a Drag Queen in Lebanon. Zuhal is a Drag Performer and wants to use his social media status to help drive change and pave the way for others in the SWANA region. Lebanon is seen by many as an open and democratic country, but what some may not know that it is not safe and Zuhal along with many others are constantly trying to survive. To ensure we keep bringing you episodes, please become a member and buy us a coffee:

During this episode Sophie Ghaziri and Jad Ghosn talk about the Lebanese Elections that are set to take place in 2022. The elections were to be held in May, however, the government and parliament have made several changes, one in bringing the elections forward to March and to let the diaspora vote for the full 128 seats available. What does this mean? and it is just smoke and mirrors?

During this episode Sophie Ghaziri talks to fellow colleague Oliver Marsden about his journey through Pakistan and Afghanistan. She hears first hand what Oliver experienced, how he felt as he witnessed the aftermath of the Taliban takeover. For more episodes like this, you can head to our page on Buy me a coffee and ensure we continue to provide transparent and independent content: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/levantx

During this episode Sophie Ghaziri talk to the Co- Founder of Beirut Film Society, an NGO that started working in 2007 but was only registered 10 years later. As Lebanon's film scene continues to grow and those who have a vision for a new country share their ideas, will Beirut City take a seat on the international stage? In order to keep listening and watching our exclusive content make a one time donation or sign up for an annual membership: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/levantx

During this episode Sophie Ghaziri talks to Khaled Beydoun about Islamophobia, the American- Muslim future, the marginalization of Black-Muslim's and the Israel Palestinian conflict. If you want to know why Islamophobia is still a problem in the USA, expert Khaled Beydoun has also written a book that can be bought in stores. To hear more unfiltered content and to make sure we continue to provided exclusive material head to our Buy me a coffee page - you can make a one time donation or sign...

During this episode Darine talks to Sophie about filmmaking and cinema. Darine is a Director and Writer and has just released her new film Talahasse - to hear more about her latest work and how she wants to impact the industry tune in! For more content like this please help us continue by donating or signing up for a membership: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/levantx

During this episode Sophie speaks to Ribal and Dana from Oxfam Beirut. The NGO has recently released a report about the Queer community in the country and what effect the aftermath of the Beirut Blast had on them. We find out the driving factors behind the suffering, the hopelessness and the future of the community in the country. Will the local NGO's in partnership with Oxfam help bring hope and stability back to a community that is lost and battered? Find out what has been done and what is...

During this episode Sophie and Stephanie discuss the film they are currently producing together. Stephanie is the Writer & Director of the film, she approached Sophie months ago to Produce it for her. This film is about 2 women falling in love in the heart of beirut. Surrounded by melancholy, pain, destruction, but also hope. Beirut is also a large character in this film that defies taboos, stigma's and judgement on the Arab Queer Community. Sophie and Stephanie are both trying tirelessly...

During this episode Sophie and Rotana discuss what it's like to be a Female in Arab, Muslim society. What did they face, how did Rotana find her voice and what is coming up in her new series F**D & Blessed? Sophie also manages to get Rotana to talk about her issues with the country she calls home and how she may never be able to step on Saudi soil again.  To help us bring and create unfiltered content we need your support: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/levantx

During this episode Sophie talks to Nareeman and Louay from levantx, who host their own podcast in Arabic called Kalam Casual on Podeo. This is the first time the three of them have teamed up to divulge their secrets :) Why do they podcast? and what do you think they picked as their favorite episode. To keep providing unfiltered content we need you - www.levant.com - click the donate button :) Every little helps!

During this episode Brady Black talks with Sophie about his struggle to adopt Akram and how he came to meet him. Brady also has an unusual past time, he heads to his street corner and paints the children who are doing anything to survive. Some of those children are burying in trash bins, others are pick-pocketing & most just chase every passer by for a little bit of change. How do you think you would handle this? Brady enlightens us to some of the hacks you can use to both make a...

During this episode Diego Ibarra, a Spanish Photographer, talks to Sophie about traveling Asia and highlighting stories of hope in some of the hardest times. Diego now finds himself in Lebanon, he has been covering the protests, the humanitarian crisis, the lack of public resources and infrastructure, along with the daily struggle people face. It is inspiring to see talents and professionals from all over the world flock to Lebanon, a country they love, admire and adore. The tales of those...

During this episode Caroline Fattal Fakhoury speaks to Sophie Ghaziri about #GenderInequality #InvestingInWomen. Caroline expresses how investing in women is the backbone of a country. Named more than once on Forbes, Caroline is an expert in Business and has made it her mission to help other women around her. Based in Lebanon, her NGO 'I Stand For Women' is supporting, financing and keeping afloat female entrepreneurs that are struggling to keep their doors open. Lebanon as many know is...

In this episode Sophie speaks to Zeinab and Lynne, two lawyers behind the instagram page 'The Lawyard'. During the Lebanese revolution in 2019 and up until today The Lawyard has been a source of both up to date and factual information for us living on the ground. Now, that events and conflict has kicked off in Palestine, we are talking to them to find out more.  Is this ethnic cleansing? Will we receive a verdict on the Beirut Blast Investigation? and how did the Captagon King manage to...

In this episode Michel Zoghzoghi talks to Sophie about his hobby (shooting big cats int he wild) and his love for his country. He told Sophie "I won't leave" - but we all know that isn't completely true as Michel will jet off now and then for months at a time capturing the world's largest cats but there is comfort in knowing that he will always come home. Michel works tirelessly to keep his private business alive as the country drowns in turmoil.  To help us continue to create unfiltered...

In this episode we speak with FROZ an eco friendly e-commerce platform born in Lebanon. Raymond and Alex, professional architects, walked out of their industry because they made it their mission to educate, create and build a more sustainable & eco-friendly planet. They chose to start in Lebanon, their home, given the country was drowning in garbage. But, with all that is going on and the country being so disconnected, will this even be possible? Listen to what they have to say and their...

Under the Kafala system a migrant worker's immigration status is legally bound to an individual employer or sponsor (kafeel) for their contract period. The power that the Kafala system delegates to the sponsor over the migrant worker, has been likened to a contemporary form of slavery. Lebanon 961 is an NGO that is continuously working to abolish the Kafala system and both treat and aid those who have fallen victim to it's cruel and inhumane treatment. Patricia tells us more about the cases...

During this episode Lea Baroudi the CEO and Founder of MARCH Lebanon tells Sophie that the many isolated and ghettoized communities are disconnected from the rest of Lebanon. The mission and vision of those working to create a better country is being lost on those who have no resources and are marginalized. Lea's NGO is working on connecting with those people by understanding their backgrounds and giving them solutions and options - an alternative way of life.   Hear what she has to say on...

During this episode Thorben and Ameen the artist duo behind project Shkoon open up to Sophie about hardships they faced on the road. Ameen and Thorben have been through rough times and COVID didn't make things easier. But, after taking the vaccine and moving to Berlin things are looking up for the artists! Find out more about Shkoon in this cultural episode by Sophie Ghaziri 

Hague x Beirut is an a collection of Artistic canvas's that are up for sale. The money that is raised is directly put into an activist fund. The Hague Peace Projects is funding and keeping alive 3 activists in Beirut. Given they are based in the Netherlands they are looking to build contacts and partnerships with organizations on the ground to help keep the activists safe. Listen to the full episode to hear about the different activists that you can help support and what is necessary to keep...

In this episode Sophie gets to know Christelle Drouby. Christelle began to gain traction on social media once she took it upon herself to head to the blast zone after Aug 4 to help clean and repair victims homes. Christelle says that all this started because she believed that those who have hope, and a vision can help set this country back on the right track. Lebanon has seen a large youth exodus due to the financial, political and economic crisis that is strangling the country. Christelle is...