The Spice Inside

Imane Kassou

Everyone has their own blend. What’s yours? Welcome to The Spice Inside, a podcast that explores identity, history, and womanhood, with a focus on the Arab and Maghreb world. We spotlight the women history left out, unpack cultural beliefs, and connect personal stories to broader systemic issues. 🎧 Episodes include: - Narrative storytelling on historical female figures - Analytical solo takes on arab culture, trends & beliefs - Conversations with guests & friends on career, identity, and personal growth (etc.) 🎤 Hosted by Imane! 🌶️New episodes out on sundays !

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  1. Spice Talks #2 - I asked my mom the questions that matter

    4. JAN.

    Spice Talks #2 - I asked my mom the questions that matter

    In this episode, I sit down with my mom to understand the world as she experienced it. We talk about her youth, her ambitions, the dreams she sometimes had to put on hold, the choices she made and the woman she became through it all. We also discuss what it means to be a Moroccan woman and the models we had and shaped us, we discuss love, work, responsibility, and passing down moroccan traditions. An intimate conversation between a mother and her daughter, to learn from her life, make sense of our own, and remember that some lessons take a lifetime to unfold. Disclaimer : this episode is in a mix of english, arabic, french. New episodes on Sundays at 9PM. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Tiktok : @thespiceinside Episode Timetable: (00:00) - Introduction - Why this conversation matters (02:02) - Being 27 in another time (07:05) - The woman you were at 25–30 (09:22) - The life you imagine vs. the life you live (13:12) - “This is not for women” (Working in a man’s world) (17:51) - What being a Moroccan woman means (Her vision, her role models, her mother & grandmother) (24:19) - Is love enough to build a life? (26:31) - If you could choose everything again (30:44) - Passing Down Traditions (37:20) - Admiration and Lessons Learned (43:28) - What my mother wants young women to hear (44:29) - Letter to the girl she once was -------------------------------------------------- Dans cet épisode, ma mère et moi avons une discussion qui m'a permis de comprendre le monde tel qu’elle l’a vécu. On parle de sa jeunesse, ses ambitions, les rêves qu’elle a parfois dû mettre de côté, les choix qu’elle a faits, et la femme qu’elle est devenue au fil du temps. On discute aussi de ce que signifie être une femme marocaine, des modèles qui nous ont construites et influencées, mais aussi d’amour, de travail, de responsabilités, et de la transmission des valeurs et des traditions marocaines. Une conversation intime entre une mère et sa fille, pour apprendre de son parcours, mieux comprendre le nôtre, et se rappeler que certaines leçons ne se révèlent qu’avec le temps. Disclaimer : cet épisode mêle anglais, arabe et français. Nouveaux épisodes les dimanche à 21h. Suis le podcast sur Instagram et Tiktok : @thespiceinside

    48 Min.
  2. Your History Book Owes Them An Apology !

    28.05.2025

    Your History Book Owes Them An Apology !

    What happens when a forgotten amazigh queen from the 11th century and a Moroccan intellectual and journalist activist from the 20th century finally get the mic? At the begining of this episode, I imagine just that — a fictional encounter between Zaynab an-Nafzawiya (Nafzaouia) and Malika El Fassi. Two women from different centuries, different worlds… erased in similar ways.Through their stories , we uncover what they did, why they mattered, and why they were left out of the books. We’ll talk about power, memory, and the very familiar pattern of women shaping history — only to be footnoted or forgotten entirely. Spoiler: it has a name. (Hi, Matilda Effect 👋). This episode is a mix of history, imagination, feminist reflection and Moroccan spice. It’s bold, questioning, and maybe even a little healing. 🎧 Hit play and let’s unwrite the silence. --------------------------------------------------------------- Que se passe-t-il quand une reine amazigh oubliée du XIe siècle et une journaliste et intellectuelle marocaine du XXe siècle prennent enfin la parole ? En ouverture de cet épisode, j'imagine cette rencontre fictive entre Zaynab an-Nafzawiya (Nafzaouia) et Malika El Fassi. Deux femmes de siècles différents, de mondes opposés… mais effacées de la même manière. À travers leurs histoires, on redécouvre ce qu’elles ont accompli, pourquoi elles comptent, et comment elles ont été reléguées aux marges de l’Histoire. On parle de pouvoir, de mémoire, et d’un schéma bien connu : celui des femmes qui façonnent le monde… mais qu’on oublie dans les notes de bas de page. Spoiler : ce phénomène a un nom (L'effet Matilda 👋). Un épisode entre fiction, faits historiques et réflexions féministes. C’est audacieux, piquant, et peut-être même un peu réparateur. 🎧 Aidons leurs histoires à sortir du silence.-------------------------------------------------------------- Resources & inspirations for this episode : - Malika El Fassi : Une vie, un destin - Histoire : raconte moi Malika El Fassi - Telquel - Zaynab Nefzaouia, reine des Almoravides et fondatrice de Marrakech - Closing the gender gap in Science - Unesco Report - Parlons Parité - Qu'est-ce que l'effet Matilda ? - Sorbonne University Article INSP- Huit portraits de femmes scientifiques pour expliquer l'Effet Matilda - CNRS Occitanie Ouest - Know Their Name: An Anthology of Great Women in the Shadows - Janan Arslan Books to check out: - The Forgotten Queens of Islam (1993) - Fatima Mernissi - Woman, Church and State (1893) - Matilda J. Gage - Hidden Figures (2016) - Margot Lee Shetterly

    13 Min.

Info

Everyone has their own blend. What’s yours? Welcome to The Spice Inside, a podcast that explores identity, history, and womanhood, with a focus on the Arab and Maghreb world. We spotlight the women history left out, unpack cultural beliefs, and connect personal stories to broader systemic issues. 🎧 Episodes include: - Narrative storytelling on historical female figures - Analytical solo takes on arab culture, trends & beliefs - Conversations with guests & friends on career, identity, and personal growth (etc.) 🎤 Hosted by Imane! 🌶️New episodes out on sundays !