Best Around The Writer’s Table Collective Podcasts (2025)

1
Announcement - Lebanese Films Screenings 24:35

9m ago24:35

24:35

This is a special announcement episode broadcast on all FTP channels. We at FTP are hosting a series of weekly film screenings and discussions on the Lebanese wars starting this Sunday April 20. In this short episode, Elia and Ayman go through the list of films they selected, what you can expect from the screenings, and how you can participate. To …

1
Hauntologies 5/ Restorative vs Reflective Nostalgia 14:39

3d ago14:39

14:39

Elia reads and comments on his essay "⁠Restorative vs reflective nostalgia⁠" for ⁠Hauntologies.net⁠ The Hauntologies Podcast is a production of From The Periphery and part of The Fire These Times podcast. A newsletter version exists at hauntologies.net but most recordings will be for Patreon supporters only. To support us, please head out to Patreo…

1
187/ Round table: Where are the Arabs? Part 2 39:13

17d ago39:13

39:13

Our very own Ayman Makarem released his new video essay ‘⁠Where Are the Arabs?⁠’ on March 9, 2025. In this round table, he is joined by Elia and israa to expand on the topics discussed in the video, the context around it, and the need for more intellectual and class-based analysis on Arab nationalism and its many manifestations. If you haven’t watc…

1
186/ Round table: Where are the Arabs? Part 1 49:53

24d ago49:53

49:53

Our very own Ayman Makarem released his new video essay ‘Where Are the Arabs?’ on March 9, 2025. In this round table, he is joined by Elia and israa to expand on the topics discussed in the video, the context around it, and the need for more intellectual and class-based analysis on Arab nationalism and its many manifestations. If you haven’t watche…

1
185/ What Ukraine Faces w/ Romeo Kokriatski 57:40

1M ago57:40

57:40

For episode 185, Elia Ayoub is joined by Ukrainian journalist and repeated guest Romeo Kokriatski to talk about the recent developments in Ukraine, especially in light of the Trump administration's open intentions to shift USA support from Ukraine to Russia, and what this means for Ukraine, Europe and the USA. As this episode is time-sensitive we a…

1
184/ Öcalan's Statement and the Future of the PKK w/ Dîlan 1:34:15

2M ago1:34:15

1:34:15

On Feb 27, Abdullah Öcalan, the long-time jailed leader of the PKK (Kurdish Worker’s Party), released a statement that shocked many. In the statement he called for the PKK to lay down their arms, which could spell the end of the 40-year long armed struggle against the Turkish state, and for the creation of a legal, diplomatic framework to ensure in…

1
Our Plans for 2025 13:21

2M ago13:21

13:21

What we hope to achieve this year. Mentioned: Our patreon Antidotezine Liz Artistry'sWebsite andInstagram The monthly hangout is open to all Patreon supporters, guests and hosts.Join us! Hauntologies.net The email:[email protected] Elia'sBluesky andMastodon TFTT is onBluesky andIG, and we have awebsite FTP is onBluesky andIG, and we have …

1
TFTT x Obscuristan: Navalny, A Year Later 1:09:12

2M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

In this special collab episode betweenObscuristan and The Fire These Times, Karena Avedissian and Anna are joined by Daniel Voskoboynik to discuss the life of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and what his death means for those of us not quite at the heart of the Russian empire. Obscuristan and The Fire These Times are proud members of⁠⁠ ⁠Fr…

1
Black History Month Special: Black Anarchism, Abolition and the Radical Tradition w/ William C. Anderson 1:42:26

2M ago1:42:26

1:42:26

This is a conversation with⁠William C. Anderson⁠, author of the book⁠The Nation on No Map⁠ (AK Press 2021) and co-author of⁠As Black as Resistance⁠ (AK Press 2018). He’s also the co-founder of⁠Offshoot Journal⁠ and provides creative direction as a producer of the⁠Black Autonomy Podcast⁠. The Fire These Times is a proud member of⁠⁠ ⁠From The Periphe…

1
Interview with Jen Schomburg Kanke (ep. 55) 37:31

2M ago37:31

37:31

In this episode, host Gina Hogan Edwards welcomes Jennifer Schomburg Kanke, a poet and writer whose work beautifully intertwines personal history and storytelling. Jennifer shares insights into her creative process, discussing how her Appalachian roots and family narratives shape her poetry. She reads from her latest collection, "The Swellest Wife …

1
Hauntologies 4/ Punishing the Land 11:01

2M ago11:01

11:01

Elia reads and comments on his essay "Punishing the land: Israeli symbolism during the Gaza genocide" for Hauntologies.net He was also on Al Jazeera to talk about how the Israelis mark the lands they destroy (link in the newsletter). The Hauntologies Podcast is a production of From The Periphery and part of The Fire These Times podcast. A newslette…

1
Hauntologies 3/ Lebanon's Lost Communist Future 49:40

2M ago49:40

49:40

Elia Ayoub goes into his essay for hauntologies.net in which he asks: what does it mean to lose the future? The film explored is Maher Abi Samra's 'We Were Communists' (2011). It will be part of our upcoming movie club on the patreon. The Hauntologies Podcast is a production of From The Periphery and part of The Fire These Times podcast. A newslett…

1
Video Essay Announcement 14:03

3M ago14:03

14:03

It's finally happening. Ayman has finished his new video essay 'Where are the Arabs?'. 'Where are the Arabs?' is a long-form video essay about the history, failures, and nostalgia of Arab Nationalism. It's one Arab leftist's attempt to sift through this trend, see its remnant today, nd dispell its myths. Today, there is no Arab solidarity in action…

1
Hauntologies 2/ This Moment. Or, Why I Cannot Mourn Gaza 8:29

3M ago8:29

8:29

Elia Ayoub reads from his Hauntologies.net piece "⁠This Moment. Or, Why I Cannot Mourn Gaza⁠" which is available for free. The Hauntologies Podcast is a production of From The Periphery and part of The Fire These Times podcast. A newsletter version exists at hauntologies.net. To support us, please head out to Patreon.com/fromtheperiphery to subscri…

1
183/ Making Home in Exile: Stories from the New Syrian Diaspora w/ Wendy Pearlman 56:49

3M ago56:49

56:49

For episode 183, Leila and Elia are joined by Wendy Pearlman to discuss her newest book,The Home I Worked to Make: Voices from the New Syrian Diaspora as well as her previous bookWe Crossed a Bridge and Trembled. Note that we recorded this episode on November 9, 2024 – just weeks prior to the ousting of the Assad regime. As such, a few small detail…

1
Year 2024 is a WRAP! 58:07

3M ago58:07

58:07

In this episode we reflect on our creative journeys over 2024, sharing insights and lessons learned (some learned the hard way!). We dive into the importance of community support, discussing how our writing friendships have helped us navigate challenges and maintain momentum. We explore key themes like authenticity and mastery, emphasizing the need…

1
182/ Our Mirror Worlds w/ Naomi Klein 1:34:38

3M ago1:34:38

1:34:38

For episode 182, Elia, Anna, and Dana are joined by author, scholar, and activist Naomi Klein to discuss her most recent book, Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, and the myriad connections her analysis of the cultural rise of fascism has to our work at From the Periphery. The Fire These Times is a proud member of ⁠From The Periphery (FTP) …

1
Hauntologies 1/ Merry Christmas Homs 11:57

4M ago11:57

11:57

Elia Ayoub reads from his newsletter piece "Merry Christmas Homs: Tribute to Bassel Shehadeh's Last City" which is available for free. It is a reference to a short film directed by Bassel during Christmas 2011 in Homs under heavy shelling by the Assad regime. You can watch it on YouTube. Trigger warning: this audio features some sounds from the ori…

1
181/ Don't Despair, We Got This w/ Margaret Killjoy 1:05:33

4M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

For episode 181, Elia Ayoub is joined by Margaret Killjoy to talk about her piece "The Sky is Falling; We've Got This" published on her newsletter. We recorded this shortly after Trump was announced as the winner of the US elections and many people were feeling despair, understandably so. The Fire These Times is a proud member of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠From The Peri…

1
Interview with Melody, A Scout (Ep. 53) 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

In this episode, we delve into a heartfelt conversation about creativity, personal growth, and the importance of rest in the writing process. Melody shares insights from her book, Soul of the Seasons, emphasizing the significance of embracing different life phases. The discussion highlights how pushing through fatigue can diminish the quality of cr…

1
180/ The Golan Heights, Syria and Palestine’s Intertwined Liberations w/ Banah Ghadbian 1:05:41

4M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

For episode 180, Leila Al-Shami and Elia Ayoub are joined by Dr Banah Ghadbian to talk about her piece "Give Us Our Land Back: The Golan Heights, Greenwashing, Syria and Palestine’s Intertwined Revolutions" published on Spectre Journal. As the title suggests, we spoke of the importance of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in the liberation of both…

1
179/ Lebanon: What Now? w/ Mohamad Bazzi 1:32:30

4M ago1:32:30

1:32:30

For episode 179, Beirut-based journalist Justin Salhani is joined with New York University professor and journalist Mohamad Bazzi to talk about the situation in Lebanon before and after the ceasefire with Israel. The Fire These Times is a proud member of ⁠⁠⁠From The Periphery (FTP) Media Collective⁠⁠⁠. How to Support: on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠. You’ll get e…

1
178/ Roundtable on Syria 1:30:08

5M ago1:30:08

1:30:08

A lot has happened over the last week in Syria, so we figured we'd gather together, as members of From the Periphery, to discuss the latest developments and provide a historical and political background to help understand the current moment. We discuss a broad range of topics starting with an overview of the what's happened in the last week or so, …

1
177/ Mutual Aid in Lebanon Today w/ Serge and Abir 45:46

5M ago45:46

45:46

For episode 177, Leila is joined by Serge from Buzuruna Juzuruna, an agro-ecological farm and heirloom seed producer in the Bekka Valley working on food autonomy, and Abir from Hostel Beirut, a worker owned cooperative in the heart of the Lebanese capital committed to social and economic justice for all. We talk about the current situation in Leban…

1
Rerun/ Commoning in Lebanon’s Palestinian Refugee Camps w/ Yafa El Masri 1:20:49

5M ago1:20:49

1:20:49

In this rerun of episode 131, Elia is joined by Dr Yafa El Masri to talk about her paper “72 Years of Homemaking in Waiting Zones: Lebanon’s “Permanently Temporary” Palestinian Refugee Camps” which she presented at the 2022 Pluriverse of Eco-social Justice summer school in Coimbra, Portugal, where we met. Dr El Masri spoke from first hand experienc…

1
Worldbuilding: The Art of Plausibility in Fiction (Ep. 52) 35:16

5M ago35:16

35:16

In this episode we dive into the art of worldbuilding, a critical aspect not just for fantasy and sci-fi authors, but for all genres, including historical and contemporary fiction. We explore how worldbuilding is the foundation that brings settings to life, creating believability and plausibility for readers, and discuss the challenges of balancing…

1
176/ American Neocons, Christian Zionists & Israeli Fascism w/ Atalia Omer 1:01:14

5M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

For episode 176, Dana El Kurd is joined by Atalia Omer, professor of Religion, Conflict and Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame to discuss her work on the convergences between American neoconservatism, Christian Zionism, and Israeli politics, as well as how attacking Palestine is being used to advance right-wing politics around the world. Omer …

1
The Mutual Aid Podcast: Ep #1 - Introductions 58:38

5M ago58:38

58:38

In lieu of an episode this week, we're pleased to announce a new podcast within the From the Periphery network. We'll return to regular TFTT releases next week. -- -- -- Welcome to The Mutual Aid Podcast. Join Ayman and israa every week as they discuss, share, and explore all things mutual aid. In this intro episode they talk about the reasons they…

1
Interview with historical fiction author Trish MacEnulty 39:43

6M ago39:43

39:43

In this episode of Around the Writer's Table, Melody dives into the fascinating world of historical fiction with the talented Trish MacEnulty. Join them as they explore her journey from a casual interest in history to becoming an award-winning author. Trish shares her insights on the importance of research, emphasizing how it enriches her storytell…

1
175/ Beekeeping, Bosnia & in the End Times w/ Larisa Jašarević 1:23:57

6M ago1:23:57

1:23:57

For episode 175, Elia Ayoub and Anna (co-host of Obscuristan) are joined by Larisa Jašarević to talk about her new book “Beekeeping in the End Times.” They delve into bees and Abrahamic faiths, climate change, folk tradition, and above all how we can all be connecting to the natural world while still remaining rooted in ourselves and our lives. The…

1
174/ Lebanon From 1860 to the Present Day 2:12:26

6M ago2:12:26

2:12:26

For episode 174, Elia and Ayman sit down to talk about Lebanon. As our little country is in the news for all the worst reasons, we thought it a good idea to give y'all an overview of Lebanese history. Materials Mentioned: Books A History of Modern Lebanon - Fawwaz Traboulsi Banking on The State - Hisham Safieddine Sextarianism - Maya Mikdashi Films…

1
Writing with, around, and through Trauma (Ep. 50) 51:28

6M ago51:28

51:28

In this episode of Around the Writers Table, we delve into the complex relationship between trauma and writing. Gina, Melody, and KimBoo, share our insights on how trauma influences our storytelling, emphasizing the importance of focusing on recovery rather than the trauma itself. We discuss the nuances of writing about personal experiences, the di…

1
173/ This Arab is Queer w/Elias Jahshan 59:53

7M ago59:53

59:53

For episode 173, Elias Jahshan joins Elia Ayoub, israa abd elfattah and Leila Al-Shami to talk about "This Arab Is Queer" anthology, which he edited and was published by Saqi Books in 2022. The Fire These Times is a proud member of ⁠From The Periphery (FTP) Media Collective⁠. How to Support: on ⁠Patreon⁠ or on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. You'll get early acc…

1
Premium Episode 2: Hezbollah (Sample) 18:38

7M ago18:38

18:38

Ayman sits down with Elia to discuss his article "Hezbollah: 10 Things You Need To Know" which is available for free on his newsletter, hauntologies.net. We recorded this the day before Israel's mass terror attack on Lebanon on 21st of Sept' 24 which left nearly 500 people killed and over 1,000 injured. Elia has also written about that attack for 9…

1
172/ The Holocaust, the Nakba and Reparative Memory 1:27:19

7M ago1:27:19

1:27:19

For episode 172, Elia Ayoub and Daniel Voskoboynik talk about a very difficult topic: the Holocaust and the Nakba. The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza brings up urgent questions about how memory is weaponized. Elia also talks about Jonathan Glazer,'s The Zone of Interest and the haunting parallels between the everyday life of the Nazi family portr…

1
Interview with Pat Spears (Ep. 49) 52:26

7M ago52:26

52:26

Gina Hogan Edwards interviews Pat Spears, an author of three novels and numerous short stories. Spears is a wonderful storyteller, and discusses her writing journey, influenced by her family's storytelling tradition and her experiences at Florida State University. She shares insights on her new novel, Hotel Impala, which explores themes of mental i…

1
171/ What is Happening with Balochistan? w/ Lateef Johar Baloch 1:24:30

7M ago1:24:30

1:24:30

For episode 171, Elia Ayoub and guest host Hari Prasad are joined by Lateef Johar Baloch, a human rights advocate and a member of the Human Rights Council of Balochistan to talk to us about the history of Pakistani oppression and authoritarianism in Balochistan and the ongoing resistance against it. We also talked about broader issues facing Baloch…

1
170/ Facing the German Far Right w/ Musa Okwonga 1:24:03

7M ago1:24:03

1:24:03

For episode 170, returning guest Musa Okwonga talks to Elia Ayoub about a piece he wrote, "The Hatred Is Accelerating", on racism and the far right in Germany. This was recorded on 31 August 2024, a day before the fascist AfD party won top place in Thuringia and second in Saxony in the state elections. The Fire These Times is a proud member of ⁠Fro…

1
Trusting Your Creative Intuition (Ep. 48) 38:14

8M ago38:14

38:14

Explore the power of intuition in this discussion where we examine how intuition blends experience and imagination to fuel the discovery writing process. We share personal stories of characters taking on a life of their own, and learn techniques to quiet the mind and trust the creative flow. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, intuition can guid…

1
169/Macronisme and the Far Right w/ Sahar Amarir & Rim-Sarah Alouane 1:33:30

8M ago1:33:30

1:33:30

For episode 169, Elia Ayoub is joined by returning guests Sahar Amarir and Rim-Sarah Alouane to talk about the situation in France, from the recent elections that saw a surprising victory for a Left-Green alliance to how Macronism has been actively normalizing the far right. They described the situation as grim, with far right ideology on questions…

1
Against Multipolar Imperialism w/ Kavita Krishnan⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Promise Li⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Romeo Kokriatski (Rerun) 1:39:47

8M ago1:39:47

1:39:47

For this rerun episode, Elia Ayoub is joined by Kavita Krishnan, an Indian Marxist and Feminist who used to be a politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation who resigned over Ukraine. He is also joined by ⁠Promise Li⁠, a US-based Hong Konger organizer and part of the Left diaspora collective ⁠Lausan. Co-hosting th…

1
168/ Building Transnational Solidarity w/ Chkoun? Collective 50:00

8M ago50:00

50:00

For episode 168, Elia and Leila are joined by the Chkoun? Collective, a collective of people from "North Africa" resisting anti-Black racism and its intersections with migration and the fight for freedom of movement in the region. We discussed their statement "Solidarities are not a given, they need to be built" and how it relates to our experience…

1
Interview: Gina Hogan Edwards (Ep. 47) 42:44

8M ago42:44

42:44

Join us as we dive into the writing process and creative journey of author Gina Hogan Edwards. We explore how Gina overcame comparison and imposter syndrome at a transformative writing workshop, and learn about the inspiration and themes behind her historical fiction novel "Dancing at the Orange Peel." Gina shares insights on the challenges of writ…

1
167/ Netanyahu's Dubaization Plan for Gaza After the Genocide w/ Yasser Elsheshtawy 53:25

8M ago53:25

53:25

For episode 167, guest host Justin Salhani is joined by Yasser Elsheshtawy to talk about the Dubaization plan that Netanyahu's team put forward for Gaza after their genocide. You won't be surprised to know that we think it's a terrible plan, but what is dubaization? du·bai·za·tion /dōō’bīzāSHən/ adjective: 1. the act of building a city which relies…

1
166/ Israel-Palestine After Zionism w/ Ahmed Moor & Antony Loewenstein 41:48

9M ago41:48

41:48

For episode 166, Dana & Elia are joined by Ahmed Moor & Antony Loewenstein, co-editors of the book "After Zionism: One State for Israel and Palestine" to talk about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and whether there is any hope for the One State Solution. Support us: The best way to support The Fire These Times is to become a member of our ⁠⁠"From The …

1
The Dread Pirate Comparisonitis (Ep. 46) 39:17

9M ago39:17

39:17

As writers, your intrepid hosts here at Around the Writer's Table have all grappled with comparison itis throughout our creative journeys. It's a common issue that plagues many writers, stemming from imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the fear of missing out on the success of others.Listen in as we discuss how we've learned to approach these fee…

1
165/ That One Time the Olympics Were Cool w/ James Stout 1:08:44

9M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

For episode 165, Elia and Aydın are joined by investigative journalist and anarchist James Stout of the It Could Happen Here podcast to talk about the 1936 anti-fascist Olympics in Barcelona and the fascists who destroyed it. There's a reason you've only heard of the more notorious Berlin one, and we're gonna get into it here. You can buy James' bo…

1
Interview with Karla Refojo (Ep. 45) 43:36

9M ago43:36

43:36

In this episode, we're excited to have Melody interviewing Karla Refojo, a plant spirit medicine colleague and creator of the Tulku Oracle deck! Karla shares the inspiration behind her talismanic jewelry and Oracle deck, which blend elements of Nepali and Tibetan culture with animistic perspectives. She discusses her creative process, including the…

1
164/ El Salvador's Gang State w/ Michael Paarlberg 48:59

9M ago48:59

48:59

For episode 164, Dana El-Kurd is joined by Michael Paarlbeg, associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, to discuss the intersection between crime and authoritarian politics in Latin America. They particularly focus on the the state of emergency happening today in El Salvador, covering the rise of Nayib Bukele and …

1
163/ The Far Right is Not Inevitable w/ Aurelien Mondon 56:29

10M ago56:29

56:29

For episode 163, Elia Ayoub is joined by University of Bath researcher and repeated guest Dr. Aurelien Mondon to talk about the populist hype in the context of the gains by the Far Right in a number of Western countries. We spoke about the EU elections as well as the upcoming UK, France and US elections, asking the question: is the media covering t…

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