Learn Lebanese Arabic with transcribed podcast episodes exploring Lebanon and its people | تعلم اللغة العربية باللهجة اللبنانية مع البودكاست الأسبوعي والمكتوب الذي يعرفك على لبنان وشعبه
Malak is a home-based entrepreneur in Lebanon who sells artificial flower arrangements and other handmade home-decorations. In this episode, Malak speaks with her sister, Mariam, about the challenges facing local small businesses during the current financial crisis. Malak explains how she tries to navigate the difficult situation and wonders if the crisis might force her … Continue reading Episode 86 – Small business amid economic upheaval
On August 4, 2020, a huge explosion wiped the Port of Beirut, killed 219 people, and damaged a large part of the city. While evidence suggests that many Lebanese politicians knew about the presence of hazardous explosives at the port, a thorough investigation has not yet occurred. One year after the blast, Rana and Khaled … Continue reading Episode 84 – One year after the Beirut Port explosion
Due to an unprecedented economic crisis, the medical sector in Lebanon is collapsing. Medications cannot be found, pharmacies continue to go on strikes, and doctors are emigrating. Amid this chaos, patients struggle with inflation, currency devaluation, and lack of basic infrastructure. As Rana is searching for her dad’s hypertension medication, she discusses with Khaled Lebanon’s … Continue reading Episode 83 – Medical crisis
Mariam is considering emigrating from Lebanon not because of the economic crisis in the country but rather to spare her foreign husband and potential future children from Lebanon's discriminatory citizenship laws. Lebanese men can pass on Lebanese citizenship to their spouses and children. However, this right is not extended to Lebanese women. In this episode, … Continue reading Episode 80 – Discriminatory citizenship laws
When Khaled is not sure what he should get Hala for her birthday, Rana suggests an unusual gift; traditional Lebanese soap. At first he questions if it is a good idea, but Rana reassures his doubts. Their conversation about Lebanese soap extends from its history to its applications and commercial revamps. Mainly made of olive … Continue reading Episode 79 – Traditional hand soap
Lebanese movies are recently achieving a growing success and many have been nominated for international awards. These movies are a great way to know more about the local society. In this episode, Rana and Khaled are trying to decide what movie to watch. They suggest different titles and highlight what they like best about each … Continue reading Episode 73 – Lebanese movies
Khaled is waiting outside the office of the Director of the National Theatre of Lebanon to be called in for a job interview. He applied a few weeks ago for the Communications Manager position at the organization. He is a communications professional and loves theatre. It is his dream job. As he waits, he is … Continue reading Episode 53 – Skit: job interview
Rail transport began in Lebanon in the 1890s while it was part of the Ottoman Empire. Over time, rail lines were built along the entire length of the Lebanese coastline. Additional tracks ran east across the country connecting Beirut and the Syrian capital Damascus. The rail system operated for close to a hundred years but … Continue reading Episode 50 – Lebanon’s defunct train system
The Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) is a long-distance hiking trail that runs the length of Lebanon. It extends from Andaket in northern Lebanon to Marjayoun in the south. The trail is 470 km long and passes through more than 75 towns and villages at altitudes ranging from 570 to 2,011 meters above sea level. The … Continue reading Episode 45 – The Lebanon Mountain Trail
Ain el Mreisseh is an old seafront neighborhood in Beirut. In the last few decades new tall buildings and a thoroughfare along the shore blocked views and sounds of the of sea for most of the neighborhood’s residents. In 2019, a new urban design project created a set of pipes to carry sounds from the … Continue reading Episode 41 – Sounds of the sea