Sam Werberg's Arabic Podcast Guide

From Al-Jazeera’s Atheer podcast network, the episodes of this daily podcast usually run about 20 minutes long and are very smart discussions about topics related to the developments in the Middle East region and sometimes global topics.

This daily weekday podcast from France24 Arabic features short segments, usually around 10 minutes long, from the TV show of the same name on the network’s TV channel, hosted by Taoufik Mjaied.

From UAE-owned Sky News Arabia, this Monday-Friday daily 15-minute podcast is a good roundup of top regional and global news stories, usually with a deep dive on a top story or two, and a brief roundup of sports and cultural / social news. 

This daily weekday podcast from French state-owned France24 Arabic TV features 4-6 minutes episodes, focused on top stories in the global press.

Similar to the France24 Arabic "Reportage" podcast, this one from the French state-owned sister radio channel features daily 3-minute episodes usually focused on one or two topics in the news, with a lean towards social and cultural topics.

Similar to MCD's "From the French Press" podcast, this daily 5-6 minute podcast features the radio hosts reading through headlines and opinion articles from the top Arab newspapers, mostly covering Middle East issues.

From French government-funded MCD, this daily 5-6 minute podcast features the radio hosts reading through headlines and opinion articles from the top French newspapers, covering European, Middle East, and global topics and current events.

From Japan’s NHK state broadcaster, this daily 9-minute long podcast is heavy on news from Japan and the Asia region, but also touches on Middle East and global topics. 

From UAE-based Al-Aan News, this daily weekday podcast features some news and current events alongside cultural and social topics from across the region, in episodes usually between 10 and 15 minutes. Presenters are heavy on the Egyptian accents.

Daily current news podcast from Jordan’s Roya News TV, with a focus on Jordan and regional issues. Episodes are currently about 4-5 minutes but at height of the Gaza conflict the episodes were up to an hour long at times, with a heavy focus on reporting from inside Gaza.

Daily 2-minute podcast from France24 Arabic focusing on one or two “soft” news stories, usually something cultural or social, from around the Middle East and nearby region. 

Daily current news podcast averaging about 15 minutes long, from the Medi1 media network, with a Morocco and North Africa focus but also reporting on other regional and global news.

From Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the episodes of this weekday (Sunday-Thursday) podcast are around 8-9 minutes long on average and cover top news stories in the region and globally, as well as a deeper dive on one or two topics, featuring guests or other outside commentary.

From the Saudi-based Thmanyah network, episodes of this podcast feature prominent Saudi personalities narrating their life story.  Fascinating insights into the personalities who built and are building the modern Saudi Arabia, with a mix of engineers, artists, doctors, writers, energy professionals, and others. 

From Al-Jazeera's Atheer podcast network, this is veteran journalist Khadija Benguenna's new long-form podcast, where she dives deep on the issue that matter with the people that matter.

From UAE's Sky News Arabia, this weekly podcast of 15-20 minute episodes focuses on political, social, and cultural developments in America, for the Arab audience.

From BBC Arabic, this daily podcast, with episodes roughly 20 minutes long, goes behind the news for a deeper and historical look at current events.

From Sky News Arabia, this is one of the few regular podcasts dedicated to climate change issues.  The roughly weekly episodes look at all the various angles of the energy transition and climate challenges.

This podcast from the pro-Hezbollah Mayadeen network is generally anti-US policy, but worth a listen for alternate viewpoints and strong Arabic.

Another great podcast from Saud-based Thmanyah network. Weekly long-form discussions that go deep on a particular topic, sometimes for over two hours.  A great podcast if you've got the time.

Good long form discussions with celebrities, influences, and achievers in these roughly weekly podcasts, in a mix of English and Arabic, hosted by Emirati entrepreneur Anas Bukhash.

From the Sowt network, this podcast features 15-20 episodes retelling the stories from the famous "1,001 Nights".  Good for beginner to intermediate Arabic learners.

From the U.S.-owned Al-Hurra, this roughly weekly podcast features human interest stories related to items in the news, mostly with a Middle East focus.

From the Hakawati network, a youth-oriented weekly podcast with a light comedic touch, focusing on social issues.

A free-wheeling weekly conversation with Sudanese content creator Muaz Osman, focusing on social and cultural topics.

From the Sowt network, a music-focused podcast with roughly half hour episodes featuring a specific musician, group, or genre of music, mostly from the Middle East region.

From the Sowt network, with new espisodes roughly every two weeks, this podcast takes a refreshingly honest look at social issues across the Middle East region, including issues of gender and sexuality.

From the Sowt network, each episode is a theatrical retelling of one of the famous stories of "Joha", the wise-fool character commonly known across the Middle East.  Great for beginner and intermediate Arabic learners.

Mada Masr is considered by many to be the only truly independent media outlet in Egypt.  The episodes of this podcast provide a deep dive on some of the website's top stories and investigations.

From U.S.-owned Sawa network, this weekly podcast looks at the stories behind sports news, focusing on the players, teams, and events in the sports headlines.

From Roya Media, a short weekly podcast featuring the latest jokes from the Arab street.

One of my favorite podcasts, an eclectic mix of episodes of varying length focused on topics related to self-help, psychology, yoga, and more.

A news and current events podcast in Arabic from Australia's state broadcaster.  Interesting discussions with the Arab diaspora in the country.  Multiple daily episodes.

From the Sowt network, an impactful podcast with stories of the Syrian people. The latest season features stories of prisoners released after the fall of the Assad regime.

Russian state propaganda masquerading as news, but a decent listen to improve your Arabic.  Multiple 30-60 minute episodes daily.  If only the U.S. produced similar content....

A really enjoyable podcast by Hessa Alsuwaidi, discussing spiritual matters.  New episodes every few weeks, always an interesting listen.

From the United Nations, a podcast with irregular episodes featuring guests talking about the latest UN programs and initiatives.  During UNGA, features leader speeches in Arabic.

From France24 Arabic, a weekly podcast taking a deep-dicve look at the news of the week, focused on international headlines.

From France24 Arabic, a short podcast focused on French cultural achievements and artists.

For history lovers, an interesting podcast of short episodes featuring stories from Arab and world history.

From the Mics network, a bi-weekly podcast focused on education and child development.

From CNBC Arabia, a roughly bi-weekly podcast with episodes featuring a deep dive on regional economic and business topics.