Best Afghan Science Podcasts (2024)

1
The Strangest Summer Festivals You NEED to Visit (Probably) 25:22

6d ago25:22

25:22

If you've got a station wagon packed with dogs and kids, but nowhere to point it, we've got you covered! From the world's greatest mud festival to, well, the world's greatest belly button festival, Will and Mango have scoured the internet to provide only the best (and weirdest) in summer festivals. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to shar…

1
What Flavor is Dr Pepper? 22:06

8d ago22:06

22:06

Dr Pepper's flavor is just one of many questions we have about the drink. Who is the doctor behind Dr Pepper? Is tomato one of the soda's 23 secret ingredients? Should you actually be drinking your Dr Pepper hot? And why doesn't Dr Pepper have a period in its name? (Does the good doctor think it's above the laws of grammar?!) Also, what did Dr Pepp…

1
Did Picasso try to Steal the Mona Lisa? 30:31

21d ago30:31

30:31

How did the Mona Lisa get so famous? Why doesn't she have any eyebrows? And why was Picasso investigated for the painting's theft? This episode Will and Mango go deep on the smirking beauty and try to figure out what's really going on behind that sly smile. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know …

1
Norway: Peacemaker, Arms-Dealer 24:02

17d ago24:02

24:02

For decades, Norway has played a major role as a peacemaker. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Oslo Accords, promoting peace has been a central aspect of Norwegian foreign policy. But this is only part of the story. Few outside the country are aware of the thriving, lucrative, and government-owned weapons industry in this Scandinavian nation. This …

1
Mango Recommends: Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend 39:20

21d ago39:20

39:20

Will and Mango are off this week, but check out this new series Mango's been working on called Afghan Star, hosted by the one and only John Legend. It's the story of how a little music talent show changed the lives and ambitions of Afghans and brought music back to the nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
How Did Dialing 9-1-1 Become a Thing? 27:47

30d ago27:47

27:47

Will and Mango are determined to figure out the origin of the emergency hotline. From the strange reason people used to call up funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing up a …

1
9 Very Important Facts about Flutes 20:18

1M ago20:18

20:18

Ever found yourself standing between Lizzo and André 3000 at yet another cocktail party, and can't think of anything to say to them? Well, you're not alone. A lot of people don't come to parties with enough flute facts in their arsenal. Luckily, we can help. Just memorize every single word of this podcast, and you'll be golden. Guest starring the w…

1
How Come Esperanto Never Took Off?! 30:45

2M ago30:45

30:45

Want to know which billionaire speaks Esperanto fluently? Or what country almost adopted Esperanto as its national language? Or why Hitler and Stalin were both afraid of Dr. Esperanto (actually Doktoro Esperanto). Join Will and Mango as they dive into the incredible world of constructed languages and also discover why William Shatner isn't just the…

1
Why Are There So Many Cheese Crimes? 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

From the Parmesan Mafia to the gas station hot dog Will accidentally ate, there are way too many cheese crimes out there! This episode Will and Mango investigate a fondue cartel, ride with food detectives, and look into an Ocean's 11... of cheese?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Women in Peace Mediation: The Israeli and Palestinian Women Working for Peace 28:52

2M ago28:52

28:52

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, two women's organizations are pushing for a return to negotiation and a permanent resolution to the conflict. “Women Wage Peace” is the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel, while its Palestinian counterpart, “Women of the Sun,” is a Palestinian women's organization based in Bethlehem. They ar…

1
How do Michelin Stars Work? 28:48

2M ago28:48

28:48

Whether you're trying to spot a Michelin critic in the wild, or you're on the hunt for the world's best reindeer tartar with moss and fermented mushroom (a very common thing listeners ask us about), we've got you covered. From Katy Perry's Michelin mishap, to chefs trying to sue the guide because they want more stars, to the bizarre reason the Mich…

1
Why are we so Obsessed with Slime? 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

Will and Mango are back in studio to form a slime appreciation society! From the first time astronauts took slime to space, to the incredible way snails surf (SURF!) their own slime, to the architectural beauty of slime molds, put on your galoshes and jump right in! ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let…

1
How Russians (Really) Feel about Putin and Ukraine 25:07

3M ago25:07

25:07

As Russians headed to the polls this month, the reelection of Russian President Vladimir Putin was not in doubt. On March 17th, with over 87% of the votes in his favor, Putin secured a fifth term, becoming the longest-serving leader of the Federation since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. With most opposition candidates either dead, jailed, exiled, o…

1
UNRWA in Crisis: A Conversation with Chief Lazzarini and Norway's State Secretary Kravik 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

UNRWA is in trouble. The UN agency for Palestine Refugees is accused by Israel of being infiltrated by Hamas and having had some of its staff involved in the attacks on October 7th. Nearly 2 million people in Gaza depend on UNRWA for survival as war and displacement continue after nearly four months of war. The allegations by Israel concern a fract…

1
Migration Trends in 2023: Stories From the Field with CNN’s Nima Elbagir 41:08

5M ago41:08

41:08

From war-torn Ukraine and Sudan to the Mediterranean, 2023 marked yet another year where thousands were forced to leave their homes in pursuit of a better life. In one of the deadliest migrant boat tragedies, more than 600 people drowned on June 14 off the coast of Greece, after a fishing vessel known as the Adriana capsized and sank. A few months …

1
#4. The Question of "The Blue Commons": Christopher Cramer in conversation with Guy Standing 1:00:39

5M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

30 June 2023 Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate in Development Studies at SOAS discusses his latest book, “The Blue Commons: Rescuing the Economy of the Sea” with Chris Cramer, Professor at SOAS, highlighting the role of corporates in prioritising profits over planet, and de-commoning our seas. Find out more about SOAS Development for Tr…

1
#1. UN-ESCWA’s World Development Challenges Report Launch Podcast 38:09

5M ago38:09

38:09

28 February 2023 This episode features a conversation between Professor Carlos Oya from SOAS, and Khalid Abu-Ismail, Senior Economist at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and lead report author of “World Development Challenges Report: Development from a broader lens”. The report launch was hosted by SOAS DevTraC…

1
#3. From Home to Unknown: The harsh reality of the Afghan migration crisis 36:05

5M ago36:05

36:05

19 May 2023 The latest conversation in the DevTraC Podcast Series is part two of the Afghan podcast where Bismellah Alizada, Reza Hussaini, Rabia Khan, and Zarifa Hosseini discuss the struggles encountered by Afghan migrants seeking a new home, both as individuals and as a group on the move. Through personal anecdotes and insightful analysis, the g…

1
#2. Afghanistan in Archives: Nationalism, identity and the State 38:27

5M ago38:27

38:27

5 Avril 2023 "Afghanistan in Archives" is the first of a two-part episode, a group of SOAS scholars, Florence Shahabi, Zeynep Tuba Sungur, Barry Sadid, and Bismellah Alizada, examine the role of archives in shaping nationalism, identity and the state, both in the past and present. They explore the prospects of using archives to preserve the Afghan …

1
#5. The New Cold War: The United States, Russia and China, from Kosovo to Ukraine 52:23

5M ago52:23

52:23

9 January 2024 'How might the lessons of history inform our choices in the present? Does a rules-based world order risk concealing informed discussions, potentially blurring the line between assumptions and reality? In a world shadowed by its history, Gilbert Achcar, professor at SOAS Development Studies as he discusses his latest book with Karabek…

1
TU#06 - Misfits in the World: Crip Futurities and World-making in Disability Arts 1:24:54

6M ago1:24:54

1:24:54

In this talk, the speakers speculated upon the anti-assimilationist politics of crip cultural practices within the disability arts sector in northern Turtle Island (Canada). We discussed the ethical and practical complexities of “cripping” our research methodologies and gesturing towards decolonization while collaborating with disability community …

1
The Targeting of Hospitals in Gaza and Beyond 32:13

6M ago32:13

32:13

On November 15th, Israeli forces stormed al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, in search of a Hamas base. The facility sheltered hundreds of people: wounded civilians, children, and newborns. Soon after, the World Health Organization labeled the hospital a "death zone." Healthcare facilities enjoy special protections und…

1
Was Sandra Day O'Connor Our Last Independent Justice? 37:34

7M ago37:34

37:34

Reposting this classic ep in honor of Sandra Day O'Connor. From her hardscrabble upbringing on cattle ranch (where she tamed a bobcat!) to her incredible sway on the Supreme Court, Will and Mango explore Justice O'Connor's incredible life, the glass ceilings she broke through along the way, and what made her both such a practical and a fiercely ind…

1
What Does China Want? 35:55

7M ago35:55

35:55

On November 15th, the world watched as a highly anticipated meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden took place amid the scenic backdrop of Woodside, California. From a controversial visit by a US House Speaker to Taiwan, to a Chinese spy balloon crossing the United States – the two countries’ relations have sunk to thei…

1
Special Episode: The West's Response to the War in Gaza 24:34

8M ago24:34

24:34

In the early hours of October 7, Palestinian militants with Hamas, the Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip, mounted a stunning and highly coordinated invasion of Israel. They rampaged through Israeli towns, killing people in their homes, attacking young rave-goers, and taking some 200 hostages. The attacks by Hamas were horrific and gruesome…

1
Afghanistan's Earthquakes: The Plight of Afghan Women 28:31

8M ago28:31

28:31

In the early hours of October 7, a powerful earthquake shook Herat province in western Afghanistan. It was followed by multiple aftershocks and a second, strong earthquake on October 11. Entire villages across western Afghanistan have been destroyed and over a thousand people lost their lives. And out of the rubble and dust has emerged a shocking s…

1
2023 Nobel Peace Prize: And the Winner Is… 28:23

9M ago28:23

28:23

The announcement by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on the Peace Prize is an event highly anticipated each year by millions around the world. It’s easy to see why: the names of previous Nobel Peace Prize recipients include the likes of Malala Yousafzai, President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, and the 14th Dalai Lama. So who will be the winner this ye…

1
A Challenging Counteroffensive in Ukraine 32:20

10M ago32:20

32:20

Eighteen months since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. US officials now report that the total number of troops from both sides killed or wounded since the war began is nearing half a million. A staggering toll, most of it paid by Russian troops, which outnumber Ukrainians almost three to one. Boosted by billion…

1
Defying Hate: A Survivor's Account of the Pride Attack in Oslo 30:35

12M ago30:35

30:35

A year ago, in the early hours of June 25, a gunman opened fire at three locations in the centre of Oslo, including at the London Pub, a longstanding fixture of the LGBTQ+ scene in the Norwegian capital. Espen Aleksander Evjenth was there dancing with his partner and his friends, when a bullet hit his head. Despite his severe wound, he miraculously…

1
How to design a school for the future | Punya Mishra 8:41

1y ago8:41

8:41

In all the conversations about improving education for children, the voices of students, teachers and community members are often left out. Educational designer Punya Mishra offers a method to shift that paradigm, taking us through new thinking on the root of success (and failure) at school -- and how a totally new, different kind of educational sy…

1
What Erdoğan’s Victory Means for Turkey 27:09

1y ago27:09

27:09

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended his rule into a third decade, beating his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in a bitter presidential race. The run-off victory caps an extraordinary campaign for Erdoğan who had hoped for a swift win. However, sky-rocketing inflation, a devastating earthquake and a united opposition left him vul…

1
Special Episode: A Risky Evacuation in Sudan 15:51

1y ago15:51

15:51

On April 15th, explosions and gunfire began to rock the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, with the paramilitaries and army accusing each other of attacking their respective bases. With two heavily armed groups squaring off in one of the most populated cities on the African continent, the United Nations has now issued a stark warning that the humanitari…

1
Israel Turns 75: Is its Democracy at Risk? 37:36

1y ago37:36

37:36

On April 25th, Israel marks 75 years of existence, commemorating the Declaration of Independence of 1948. But this year, amid the fireworks, military parades and flag-waving, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu will be on the lookout for disruptions and more protests. Recent proposals by Netanyahu's government - the most far-right in the history o…

1
How death and despair haunt Pakistan’s Christian minority 24:12

1y ago24:12

24:12

Pakistan's Christians have long been marginalised and pushed into sewer cleaning work. Now, some are fighting back. Written by Saad Zuberi. Read by Laura Lockwood.By Al Jazeera

1
The rise of the "trauma essay" in college applications | Tina Yong 12:43

1y ago12:43

12:43

As if college applications aren't stressful enough, disadvantaged youth are often encouraged to write about their darkest traumas in their admissions essays, creating a marketable story of resilience that turns "pain into progress," says politics student Tina Yong. She brings this harrowing norm to light, exploring its harms and offering a more equ…

1
‘Stand-up’ for Ukraine: Coping through comedy in the face of war 16:30

1y ago16:30

16:30

In Berlin, comedians from Ukraine and Russia share the same stage as an outlet for their grief and anger about the war. Written by Verena Hoelzl. Read by Richard Martin.By Al Jazeera

1
'Dance like there is no tomorrow': Ukraine's wartime music scene 13:58

1y ago13:58

13:58

How a flourishing underground subculture is providing a welcome escape from the realities of war. Written by Nils Adler. Read by Xzavian Wrushen.By Al Jazeera

1
TU#05 Insight - Iconic images and productive frictions 8:33

1y ago8:33

8:33

How might multimodal anthropology reconcile the use of iconic images that reinforce racist stereotypes? As a visual anthropologist, when you create a multimodal output such as a film, you often have to balance your desire to attract the stakeholders’ attention with your attempt to challenge and avoid reproducing iconic stereotypes that are perpetua…

1
TU#05 Insight - Challenging xenophobic media ecologies 10:40

1y ago10:40

10:40

How might collaborative multimodal ethnography begin to challenge neoliberal and xenophobic media ecologies? Collaborative, multimodal ethnography can provide under/mis-represented community members with a platform to conduct open-ended, collaborative, self-reflexive, and therapeutic explorations. For example, participants of the ARTlife Film Colle…

1
TU#05 - Multimodal Articulations of Futures in an Afghan-Danish Film Collective by Dr. Karen Waltorp 1:15:27

1y ago1:15:27

1:15:27

In this talk, members of the ARTlife Film Collective (Dr. Karen Waltorp, Nilab Totakhil, Asma Mohammadzai Safi, Sama Sadat Ben Haddou, Mursal Khosrawi and Lea Glob) discussed and unpacked their multimodal filmmaking collaborations within the context of politically charged media ecologies in Denmark. The talk highlights how the women in the collecti…

1
How Ukrainian-Russian couples are faring after a year of war 23:15

1y ago23:15

23:15

Partners caught on different sides of the yearlong conflict reflect on how it has affected their relationships. Written by Pearly Jacob. Read by Emma Jones.By Al Jazeera

1
'People want to buy local': The rise of Ukraine's wartime wines 15:15

1+ y ago15:15

15:15

Despite the dangers of war, many winemakers have continued to operate, buoyed by growing demand for local wines. Written by Nils Adler. Read by Pete Ferrand.By Al Jazeera

1
How video games can level up the way you learn | Kris Alexander 12:24

1+ y ago12:24

12:24

Video games naturally tap into the way we learn: they focus our attention and track our progress as we head toward a clear goal. Kris Alexander, a professor of video game design and passionate gamer himself, thinks the same elements should be used in traditional education to cater to different learning styles and engage students across the world, b…

1
'Can't go back': How an Afghan girls' school principal fled the Taliban 14:20

1+ y ago14:20

14:20

After fleeing the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the former head of a girls' school in Kabul tries to make a new life in Canada. Written by Mellissa Fung. Read by Laura Lockwood.By Al Jazeera

1
Reviving the legacy of the Black teaching tradition | Sharif El-Mekki 13:14

1+ y ago13:14

13:14

Educator Sharif El-Mekki advocates for the revival of the Black teaching tradition — a set of educational practices grounded in philosophies, values and actions that stretch from pre-colonial Africa to historical African American leaders. He posits that this tradition can help teachers better serve Black students and create a more equitable learnin…

1
‘Books they love’: A Kabul graveyard library for two schoolgirls 13:31

1+ y ago13:31

13:31

In Taliban's Afghanistan, Hazara cousins, both blast victims who loved to read and learn, inspire an outdoor library - and new readers. Written by Ruchi Kumar. Read by Erica Sand.By Al Jazeera

1
How US abortion organisers are learning from Honduran activists 25:47

1+ y ago25:47

25:47

As clandestine networks form to support women, they look to Central America for a road map -- and a warning. This story was written by Delaney Nolan and read by Annie M Dylan. Reporting for this story was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Reproductive Rights Reporting Fund.By Al Jazeera

1
A long and lethal legacy: In the shadow of asbestos in the UK 22:01

1+ y ago22:01

22:01

Widely used in construction for decades, the aftermath of asbestos exposure has been a death sentence for many in the United Kingdom. Written by Katharine Quarmby. Read by Richard Martin. This article is part of a wider cross-border investigation, Asbestos: The Lethal Legacy, led by Investigative Reporting Denmark, edited by Katharine Quarmby, and …

1
Cost of living: An Indian waste-picking couple struggle with debt 14:11

1+ y ago14:11

14:11

Sifting through waste to find and sell scraps of cloth and recyclables use to be enough for Gunja and Chand to support their family. Now they're earning less because of a series of lockdowns and the Russia-Ukraine war. Written by Suparna Sharma. Read by Laura Lockwood.By Al Jazeera

1
How Black queer culture shaped history | Channing Gerard Joseph 8:05

1+ y ago8:05

8:05

Names like Bayard Rustin, Frances Thompson and William Dorsey Swann have been largely erased from US history, but they and other Black queer leaders played central roles in monumental movements like emancipation, civil rights and LGBTQ+ pride, among others. In this tribute to forgotten icons, queer culture historian and TED Fellow Channing Gerard J…

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Afghan Science Podcasts

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