Semicolons and Teardrops in the Middle East

Yitzok, the Haredi on the outskirts

Yitzchok Horowith was raised in Jerusalem's Haredi community but now lives on its outskirts, balancing tradition with a life that defies expectations. In this episode, he explains what it means to be Haredi, why he chose to serve in the Israeli military, and how he navigates religious, cultural, and political divides. Nathan and Yitzchok also discuss the changing role of the Haredi community in Israeli society and what its future may look like.

Laila Shadid, who made her father's path her own

Laila Shadid has spent much of her twenties exploring the Arab world. In this episode, she reflects on how living in Palestine, Jordan, and now Egypt has helped her reconnect with her Arab identity. Laila and Nathan explore the ways language shapes who we are, discussing how speaking Arabic can transform relationships and reveal different parts of ourselves. They also share memories of Laila’s late father, whose legacy continues to inspire her commitment to meaningful work and journalism.

Obayda of Syria, from exile to public service

Obayda Ghadban was “born into politics.” Raised in exile from Syria, he pursued careers in journalism, translation, and political science, united by a passion for research. During the 2011 Syrian uprising, his digital activism placed him at the heart of the revolution from afar, helping document and amplify events unfolding on the ground. After the fall of the Assad regime and the end of the civil war, Obayda moved to Syria in 2024. Today, he serves in the country's new government, drawing on the same research and analytical skills that shaped his career to help rebuild Syria's relationship with the world.

Belsem, the student who started a school

* Growing up among Philadelphia, Jordan, Pakistan, and now London, Belsem Aljobry has spent much of her life navigating borders, identities, and expectations. In this conversation, she reflects on what it means to belong to many places at once: the daughter of an Iraqi Shi'i father and Pakistani Sunni mother, raised by a fiercely independent single mom she still calls “home.” From building a girls’ school in Pakistan while still a college student to working with the U.S. Embassy in London, Beslem speaks candidly about faith, migration, education, and the power of empathy across political and cultural divides. Her story is one of constant movement, but also of searching for connection, purpose, and a way to bridge worlds that are too often kept apart.

Vahap, the market-minded philosopher

Abdelouhab Adjroum (Vahap) joins us from Turkey for a conversation spanning philosophy, language, markets, and life across borders. Born in Morocco, educated in Qatar, and now working in the private sector, Abdelouhab reflects on studying Arabic philosophy and postmodern thought, navigating multiple languages and cultures, and balancing intellectual passion with economic reality. From Ibn Arabi to market economics, this episode explores what it means to think deeply while living practically.