Tel Aviv nightlife and the Burger King order of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the talking points of a viral podcast interview with the Nelk Boys. Influencer-driven podcasts are seeing a broader trend of interest in friendly interviews from world leaders and politicians, from Donald Trump to Kamala Harris. What happens when the powerful speak to massive new audiences without journalism?

In this episode:
Nathan Robinson (@NathanJRobinson), Editor-in-Chief, Current Affairs

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, and Noor Wazwaz, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Marya Khan, and our guest host Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

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

Tel Aviv nightlife and the Burger King order of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the talking points of a viral podcast interview with the Nelk Boys. Influencer-driven podcasts are seeing a broader trend of interest in friendly interviews from world leaders and politicians, from Donald Trump to Kamala Harris. What happens when the powerful speak to massive new audiences without journalism?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Nathan Robinson (<a href="https://x.com/NathanJRobinson">@NathanJRobinson</a>), Editor-in-Chief, Current Affairs</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, and Noor Wazwaz, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Marya Khan, and our guest host Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.&nbsp; 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

Beat the press: why Netanyahu sat down with the Nelk Boys

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on June 24, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

Israel claims Iran is closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. But as it targets Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his nation’s attacks will also “liberate” Iranians. In a civilization shaped by millennia of empire and resistance, those words land differently. What does liberation mean to Iranians as the US and Israel call for regime change?

In this episode:
Hamid Dabashi (@dabashihamid), Professor of Iranian Studies, Columbia University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Ashish Malhotra, Tamara Khandaker, Mariana Navarrete, and our host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on June 24, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.
Israel claims Iran is closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. But as it targets Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his nation&rsquo;s attacks will also &ldquo;liberate&rdquo; Iranians. In a civilization shaped by millennia of empire and resistance, those words land differently. What does liberation mean to Iranians as the US and Israel call for regime change?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Hamid Dabashi (<a href="https://x.com/dabashihamid">@dabashihamid</a>), Professor of Iranian Studies, Columbia University</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Ashish Malhotra, Tamara Khandaker, Mariana Navarrete, and our host, Manuel R&aacute;palo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz.&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.&nbsp;
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>

Another Take: What is Iran’s right to resist regime change? 

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on June 27. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

Thirty-three years old, socialist, Muslim and now, the likely Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani was barely known a few months ago. Today, he may be the most popular political voice of a generation. How did he get here, and could he be here to stay?

In this episode:
Max Rivlin-Nadler (@MaxRivlinNadler), co-owner and reporter, Hell Gate NYC

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Remas Al Hawari, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarette, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on June 27. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.
Thirty-three years old, socialist, Muslim and now, the likely Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani was barely known a few months ago. Today, he may be the most popular political voice of a generation. How did he get here, and could he be here to stay?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Max Rivlin-Nadler (<a href="https://x.com/MaxRivlinNadler?s=20">@MaxRivlinNadler</a>), co-owner and reporter, Hell Gate NYC</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Remas Al Hawari, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarette, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Noor Wazwaz.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. 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: How Zohran Mamdani shocked New York

As 2025 wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on May 8. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

It’s the biggest military escalation between India and Pakistan in decades. Missile strikes, drone attacks and deadly shelling have struck on both sides of the border in the disputed region of Kashmir. With dozens of civilians dead and both countries trading blame, can the two nuclear powers contain the dispute?

In this episode:
Charu Kasturi (@CharuKasturi), Senior Editor and Writer, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Marcos Bartolome and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarette, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. 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

As 2025 wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on May 8. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.
It&rsquo;s the biggest military escalation between India and Pakistan in decades. Missile strikes, drone attacks and deadly shelling have struck on both sides of the border in the disputed region of Kashmir. With dozens of civilians dead and both countries trading blame, can the two nuclear powers contain the dispute?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Charu Kasturi (@<a href="https://x.com/charukasturi?lang=en">CharuKasturi</a>), Senior Editor and Writer, Al Jazeera</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Marcos Bartolome and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarette, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.&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.
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>

Beat the press: why Netanyahu sat down with the Nelk Boys

In 1 playlist(s)

The Take

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips