logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
23m 16s

What is the trauma of bearing witness to...

Al Jazeera
About this episode

What happens when people feel they’ve reached capacity as witnesses? For writer and clinical psychologist Hala Alyan, her work is to preserve the archive of Palestinian stories and pass down resistance through generations. As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, her work on the complexities of displacement, trauma, and the Palestinian diaspora has reached audiences around the world. 

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, Sarí el-Khalili, and our host, Malika Bilal. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. 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 TwitterInstagram, FacebookThreads and YouTube

Up next
Today
How did Lula da Silva cut Amazon deforestation in half?
When Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office more than a year ago, he pledged to end deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. He’s on the right track: Last year, the forest shrank 50% less than in 2022. But the clock is ticking. Will Lula manage to keep his word? Th ... Show More
23m 12s
Aug 23
Another Take: Why hasn't Pakistan recovered from its catastrophic floods?
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 22, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Pakistan is still reeling from 2022’s deadly floods, which put a third of the country underwater. Tho ... Show More
20m 45s
Aug 22
Why are Sudanese refugees returning home despite the civil war?
Nearly two and a half years into Sudan’s war, millions remain displaced. Yet some refugees are making the difficult choice to return home, despite the ongoing conflict. UNHCR’s Mamadou Dian Balde explains why Sudanese families are going back, the challenges awaiting them, and the ... Show More
23m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Investigating War Crimes in Gaza - Part 1 (Interview)
Al Jazeera Investigates/The Take  A new @AJIunit documentary investigates thousands of posts from social media documenting war crimes by Israeli soldiers in Gaza. This interview with the film's director, Richard Sanders, examines what this database exposes about the last year of ... Show More
21m 27s
Jun 24
Unpacking the ‘Insane’ Premise of Zionism, with Mehdi and Alana Hadid
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.comLast week, Mehdi and Zeteo concluded our five-city tour, so we obviously had to end with a special LIVE taping of ‘We’re Not Kidding’ and audience Q&A with returning co-host Alana Hadid — an activist, designer ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2025
This is the Story of Dr. Husam Abu Safiya
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a renowned and beloved Palestinian pediatrician and director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, has been illegally held captive and tortured by the Israeli army for more than 59 days. On December 27, 2024, the Israeli army kidnapped Dr. Abu Safyia while b ... Show More
21m 6s
Dec 2024
Episode Seven - Scripted: What's the Point? (When the World Is Dark)
Amid personal and global turmoil, in this special episode of Scripted/Unscripted, Nadia confronts the question, "What's the point?". She reflects on how writing serves as a tool for emotional expression, resistance, and connection, highlighting its power to humanize the dehumaniz ... Show More
23m 57s
Oct 2024
“One of my recurring fears is that people will move on” w/ Laila Al-Arian
The brothers welcome Laila al-Arian, executive producer for the Al Jazeera English documentary series Fault Lines. They discuss the anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim orthodoxies of the mainstream Western media, the coverage of the genocide in Gaza, the dissenting spaces ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 28
Tankie Group Therapy #34 - Gaza defends our humanity
Tankie Group Therapy is back! Sina, Alex, Nora, and Jay get together for another session to discuss the latest news from the Gaza Holocaust. Support Palestinians in Gaza through their fundraisers Watch the video edition on the East is a Podcast YouTube channel Consider supporting ... Show More
1h 34m
Jan 2024
'How can we expect others to empathize with us when we fail to empathize with Palestinians?'
Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder of the IKAR synagogue in Los Angeles, has been progressive Judaism's leading voice over the past decade speaking out for equality and human rights, as well as the rabbinic figure of choice for the Biden-Harris White House. Author of the new book "The A ... Show More
39m 51s
Jan 2025
From Hamas captivity to recovery: the long road ahead for Israel's freed hostages
After months in Hamas captivity, the release of some Israeli hostages has brought moments of relief - but also difficult questions. While the public sees smiling faces and embraces, the reality behind the scenes is far more complex. In this episode, Haaretz Podcast host Allison K ... Show More
30m 45s