Seriously?

Henrik Melius
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Henrik Melius and friends talk about events and topics that matter. The conversations can be warm, inquisative or challenging, brave, serious, comical, or simply factual. Episodes in English or Swedish depending on guest. Music: Henrik Melius & Falah Sabbar

  1. 4d ago

    The Weaponization of Antisemitism with Hadas Emma Kedar & Elik Harpaz

    This episode goes straight into territory that most politicians, journalists and plenty of ordinary people would rather avoid. I sit down with Hadas and Elik, two Jewish anti-Zionist voices with very different backgrounds but a shared willingness to challenge the stories they grew up with. We talk about Germany's relationship with guilt and memory, the use of antisemitism as a political weapon, the growing gap between public opinion and political elites, and why so many people are starting to question narratives that only a few years ago seemed untouchable. We also discuss something that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: how even left-wing parties in countries like Germany and Sweden can find themselves smeared as "antisemitic" simply for expressing support for Palestinian rights and stating facts about the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing. What happens to public debate when people become afraid to speak at all. One of the most powerful parts of the conversation is hearing how fear is manufactured. Hadas and Elik talk about growing up being afraid of Arabic and how learning the language became part of breaking that conditioning. We discuss identity, propaganda, political myths, collective trauma, and what happens when people decide that truth matters more than belonging to the tribe. We also get into the uncomfortable questions. Has criticism of Israel become easier? Is the accusation of antisemitism losing its power? Why are some of the strongest critics of Israeli policy Jewish themselves? What happens when people can no longer separate politics, religion, ethnicity and state power? Hadas Emma Kedar is a Media Arts and Media Studies scholar, born in Haifa. She used to volunteer as alternative news moderator in Tel Aviv. More recently, she coordinated the Jewish Anti Zionist Congress in Dublin (JAZIC). She is a devoted activist in the Palestinian solidarity and liberation movement, publicly speaking, organising, and moderating. She is working on an art-activism performance titled Together We Łose | Reflections amid Genocide, which is planned to premiere in Germany in May 2027. SUPPORT HADAS HERE: https://www.startnext.com/en/togetherwelose/ Find Hadas here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadas.emma/ Elik Harpaz - Jewish Israeli musician, performance artist, podcaster, anti-Zionist activist music teacher, living in Occupied Palestine. Find Elik here: https://www.instagram.com/elik_harpaz?stkn=MTFueXNrNnlrbXp4OA== https://youtube.com/@elik_harpaz?si=Y9G_MGToAJfe2MAK https://open.spotify.com/artist/4epi3kLnZpagAT5VX5ba1W?si=fgHboqcmS1683RHVZxbGdw

  2. Sep 21

    An American in Cologne

    In this episode of Seriously?, I sit down with my longtime friend Hiram, who left the United States for a new life in Cologne, Germany. Our conversation moves through love, friendship, personal responsibility and the importance of respecting boundaries, before turning to race, identity, freedom of speech and Hiram's experiences as a Black American living between two cultures. We also discuss Palestine, the shifting political consciousness about, censorship, activism and the responsibility of public figures to speak out against injustice and gen&side. Later, we explore Michael Jackson's legacy, the darker side of the entertainment industry, and the theories and controversies that continue to surround his life and death, including discussions about powerful interests, exploitation and Epstein. Above all, this is an honest conversation between two old friends who are willing to challenge one another, disagree openly and still meet with respect, humour and affection.

  3. Apr 20

    The Future of Israel

    Beyond Left and Right: An Israeli Anti‑Zionist on Power, Propaganda, and Moral Responsibility What happens when an Israeli‑born musician rejects Zionism from inside Israel — and says the quiet parts out loud? In this episode, Elik, an anti‑Zionist Israeli living in Tel Aviv, takes on the questions most commentators avoid: Is Zionism itself a form of antisemitism? Why do spiritual and “mindfulness” communities stay silent — or worse, serve power? What makes figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens threatening to parts of the left — even when they’re right on Israel? And why do Israelis call equality “genocide” while supporting actual mass killing? Elik explains how ideology works as a psychological filter — how ordinary people learn to see extermination as self‑defence, and dissent as betrayal. He argues that Zionism survives by needing antisemitism, not ending it — and collapses when that lie is exposed. The conversation cuts straight through tired binaries: Left vs right Judaism vs Zionism Spirituality vs ethics Criticism vs conspiracy No safe lanes. Just a sober warning: when power shifts, stories change — and someone always tries to escape responsibility. If you’ve followed Tucker’s break from consensus, Brianna’s pushback against ideological comfort zones, or Finkelstein’s unease with who is now telling the truth — this episode goes straight to the fault line. Not comfortable. Not neutral. Hard to unhear.

  4. 06/11/2025

    The Zionist Cult - Shifting Perspectives on Gaza

    Alon Nissan Cohen, a brilliant fearless soul living in Haifa, Israel, or as he calls the holy land, "Palestine under fascist rule" Alon is a strong Jewish voice against apartheid, genocide and all forms of oppression. Follow Alon and his friend Elik Harpaz! Alon's YouTube channel The Hebrew Canaanite: https://youtube.com/@hebrewcanaanite Alon on Instagram: @roble_viajero Alon's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HebrewCanaanite Elik's YouTube channel Sound of Anarchy: https://youtube.com/@elik_harpaz Elik's Kickstarter project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1300759177/elik-vs-the-collective-unconscious-docu-film

  5. 07/02/2024

    An act of LOVE with Gaia Dan from Haifa, Israel.

    Gaia Dan is 24 years old, born and raised in Haifa, Israel to a Zionist-leftist family. She enlisted in the military to a combat unit only to get kicked out after 4 months because she was "not suitable" for combat service. After another year in the IDF, or "IOF" as Gaia calls the Israeli army (Israeli Occupation Forces) she ran away and started her re-education process which brought her to the realisation that there is no legitimacy to the "IOF" or even to the state of Israel, as a proxy to the US. Gaia is currently a student of political science and sociology at the University of Haifa, where she is trying to raise a voice against the genocide and Zionism from within. Gaia speaks fearlessly against the occupation of Palestine, against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the continuous dehumanization and murder of the people living in the occupied "West bank". Gaia is not alone, not in Israel, not in the world, but she is undoubtedly one of only few young women on this planet that has chosen a journey most women would not touch, even in their dreams. She deserves the utmost support, respect and LOVE... but she is not asking for it. Her path is walked for the oppressed... Follow Gaia on IG: _gaiadan

  6. 06/12/2024

    Leaving Zionism with Dan Ben Yishai

    Dan Ben Yishai was born in Israel in 1989 to recent immigrants from the Soviet Union. He was raised as a far-right Zionist and served in the Israeli military as a combat soldier and as an officer. Yet by the end of his military service, he began to experience doubts - initially only viscerally - about Zionist society and about his role within it. After a decade of studying philosophy in Israel and in Germany - while suffering from addiction and depression - Dan accidently came across Marxist historiography in the German language that radically changed his life. He decided to return to Israel and study the history of the Zionist project while joining the struggle for Palestinian liberation. "Our sanity is in jeopardy" says Dan... with words from Israeli leaders like; "let them rot in their filth" and; "Getting them out of here is the end goal" One of few crystal clear voices coming from Israel is Dan Ben Yishai. Dan is humble, soft spoken, unassuming, enlightened and a brilliant educator. Dan shares his story from growing up with a father who was a strong influence on him becoming a hard-core Zionist, dreaming of a lasting career in the Israeli military. Leaving Zionism for Dan, is a journey we all can and need to learn from. Not least western government officials and their ambassadorial civil servants. It takes a lot for any human to go against the tide in a “condition” like Israel. He has lost friends and family through the process. FOLLOW DAN! https://youtube.com/@radixdby?si=VWhPBW03_XAhTq52 https://www.instagram.com/radix_dby?igsh=MWVkYWFycmplNHM0NQ== This episode was recorded while the legendary musician Eric Clapton posted the following words supporting Palestine; "Along with my dear friend Roger Waters, I stand in support of Andrew Feinstein, independent candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, in his fight for the children of Gaza, for the freedom of the people of Palestine, and for the soul of the human race... Against the genocide in Gaza... For love and Truth... Eric C"

  7. 05/16/2024

    "Fake Leftism" in Israel with Alon Nissan-Cohen

    Alon Nissan-Cohen is a brilliant, almost singular, passionate, independent, charming, funny, fearless voice coming straight from the heart of Israel, or as he prefers to call the holy land, occupied Palestine under fascist rule... Alon brings clear and necessary thoughts on the urgent need for the dismantling of Zionism. He shares his journey of "awakening" in his homeland, which is not an easy thing to do. We touch on several topics related to what is going on in Israel, including comments by Alon related to recent Seriously? episode with Danny Felsteiner, whom he calls a "spiritual liberal" What is fake leftism? Is liberalism really a different form of fascism? How can a "virus deep in their souls" be healed? What are the possible outcomes of the current trajectory Israel is on? Would Ben Gvir respond favorable to non-violnet communcation? PLEASE FOLLOW ALON AND HIS PODCAST PARTNER ELIK ON THEIR PODCASTS. THEIR VOICES ARE AMONG FEW COMING OUT OF ISRAEL WITH AN ANTI-ZIONIST EDUCATIONAL AGENDA. One State Solution podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HebrewCanaanite/featured Yalla podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@elik_harpaz/featured Alon on IG: roble_viajero

  8. 04/19/2024

    "I have no conclusions" with Danny Felsteiner from Jerusalem

    Danny Felsteiner teaches and facilitates workshops in music, mindfulness and nonviolent communication, to promote empathy, understanding and compassion, hoping to inspire nonviolent action towards peace across all sectors and communities in Israel.

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About

Henrik Melius and friends talk about events and topics that matter. The conversations can be warm, inquisative or challenging, brave, serious, comical, or simply factual. Episodes in English or Swedish depending on guest. Music: Henrik Melius & Falah Sabbar

Information

  • Creator
    Henrik Melius
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Henrik Melius
  • Show Website
    Seriously?