We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on February 10. None of the dates or references have been changed.

Bad Bunny’s new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, became the number-one streamed album worldwide. It mixes different Puerto Rican music genres and touches on themes of gentrification and a loss of cultural identity. How is the album bringing the Puerto Rican fight for survival to the world?

In this episode:


Jorell Meléndez-Badillo (@jorellmelendezb), Author of “Puerto Rico: A National History”  

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, with Hanah Shokeir, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

We&rsquo;re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on February 10. None of the dates or references have been changed.
Bad Bunny&rsquo;s new album, Deb&iacute; Tirar M&aacute;s Fotos, became the number-one streamed album worldwide. It mixes different Puerto Rican music genres and touches on themes of gentrification and a loss of cultural identity. How is the album bringing the Puerto Rican fight for survival to the world?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>
Jorell Mel&eacute;ndez-Badillo (<a href="https://x.com/jorellmelendezb">@jorellmelendezb</a>), Author of &ldquo;<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691231273/puerto-rico">Puerto Rico: A National History</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, with Hanah Shokeir, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

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.

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.

The Take

The Take - Disco

2025 in Review: Why did Bad Bunny's anthem to Puerto Rico strike a global chord?

We're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on January 30. None of the dates or references have been changed.

Bodies are lining the streets of Goma and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwandan-backed M23 group claims it took control of the city, and the DRC has called it a declaration of war by Rwanda. But why is Rwanda involved and what are its interests?

In this episode:
Kambale Musavuli (@kambale), Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

We're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on January 30. None of the dates or references have been changed.
Bodies are lining the streets of Goma and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwandan-backed M23 group claims it took control of the city, and the DRC has called it a declaration of war by Rwanda. But why is Rwanda involved and what are its interests?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Kambale Musavuli (<a href="https://x.com/kambale">@kambale</a>), Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio. We&rsquo;ll be back tomorrow.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

2025 in Review: Rwanda, M23, and the battle for Goma

This week: 81 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 394 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza continued to struggle to find food. Israel further expanded its presence in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,925 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:
Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Gabriel Elizondo, (@elizondogabriel) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Gemma Nash, (@GemmaNash10) Al Jazeera Presenter

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 Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: 81 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 394 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza continued to struggle to find food. Israel further expanded its presence in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,925 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Tareq Abu Azzoum, (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/abuoazzum/?hl=en">@abuoazzum</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Gabriel Elizondo, (<a href="https://x.com/Hind_Gaza"></a><a href="https://x.com/elizondogabriel?lang=en">@elizondogabriel</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Gemma Nash, (<a href="https://x.com/GemmaNash10">@GemmaNash10</a>) Al Jazeera Presenter</li>
</ul>
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 Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Brief: Mediators say Israeli ceasefire violations threaten deal

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 6. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Are US tariffs about to end the “add to cart” era? United States President Donald Trump’s move to end the de minimis exemption closes a loophole used by Shein, Temu and others to ship duty-free. With costs likely passed to shoppers, consumers are starting to rethink the real price of ultra-cheap clothing.

In this episode:
Aja Barber (@ajabarber), author, Consumed

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tracie Hunt. The original production team was Noor Wazwaz, Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marya Khan, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/2025/8/6/the-take-what-trumps-tariffs-mean-for-shein-and-temu-shoppers">August 6</a>. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Are US tariffs about to end the &ldquo;add to cart&rdquo; era? United States President Donald Trump&rsquo;s move to end the de minimis exemption closes a loophole used by Shein, Temu and others to ship duty-free. With costs likely passed to shoppers, consumers are starting to rethink the real price of ultra-cheap clothing.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Aja Barber (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajabarber/">@ajabarber</a>), author, Consumed</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tracie Hunt. The original production team was Noor Wazwaz, Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marya Khan, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio. 
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

2025 in Review: Why did Bad Bunny's anthem to Puerto Rico strike a global chord?

In 1 playlist(s)

The Take

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips