Good conversations and genuine connections are a simple pleasure that many have not been able to enjoy over the past year. With quarantine keeping everyone cooped up, many have turned to podcasts for that missing piece in their lives. People from all fields have started their own podcasts with a variety of interesting topics to keep audiences entertained. Muslim creators have launched successful podcasts that cover hot topics and give opinions about real-world problems. Here is a list of a few favorites that have circulated the web.
Noor Elkhaldi is an outspoken creator best known for her podcast “Arab-American Psycho.” She covers a range of topics from dating and culture to cooking and mental health. Elkhaldi has almost 100 episodes to choose from with guests from all over the globe. Her connections with other influencers help to create an authentic conversation to which many people can relate. Noor advocates for diversity and inclusion, which has led to a loyal following online. Her raw, honest, and sometimes hilarious opinions have reached many, and her popularity is reflected in the hundreds of positive reviews of “Arab-American Psycho.” Tune in on Sundays to hear a good conversation and even more laughs.
Tech company co-founder and former architect Layla Shaikely has recently launched her podcast “Muslims Doing Things,” where she interviews fellow Muslim guests with interesting career paths. She discusses topics about life inspiration, career advice, and professional identity. Her guests include content creators, surgeons, authors, and fellow MIT graduates. Shaikley has lived a lifetime of reclaiming her narrative as a Muslim woman and is interviewing guests with similar experiences. Her conversations about life, jobs, and coffee have garnered a supportive audience in just a few months. “Muslims Doing Things” has a perfect rating and is sure to get you motivated.
Understanding complex problems in the Muslim world can be a difficult task, but Muhammad Jalal is able to explain these questions well. His podcast “The Thinking Muslim” explores issues in-depth and untangles the complexities of the world around us. He engages thinkers, academics, and scholars in conversation on a variety of themes. Episodes cover pressing stories like vaccines, freedom of speech, and international affairs. With almost 50 hour-long episodes to choose from, there is definitely an episode to rack your brain.
Social justice has been a pressing matter that has taken more precedence over the past year. Leila Day and Hana Baba are hosts of the podcast “The Stoop,” where they explore stories about black identity that are not always discussed. Baba is a black Muslim who regularly speaks with African and Muslim communities on how to enter media fields and craft a unique narrative. Both Day and Baba start conversations about what it means to be black and how we talk about blackness both nationally and globally. The podcast is all about black joy and the diversity that comes with it as well as the need to dig deeper into important issues. The episodes are around 30 minutes long, and the perfect addition to your morning commute.
These creators bring diverse voices to the table and create dialogue outside of the podcast. Their expertise in different fields as Muslims brings invaluable experiences much of the Muslim audience could use. Make sure to give these podcasts a listen for a thoughtful conversation that makes you feel like you are talking to a friend.