'Raconte un peu – Tell me more-خبّرنا شوي...

Pauline Mouhanna
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

'Raconte un peu – Tell me more is a trilingual (French–Arabic–English) podcast exploring MENA authors, books, and storytelling. Hosted by two sisters passionate about literature, Sandra and Pauline open conversations about identity, memory, migration, and the stories that shaped the Middle East and its diaspora. Every episode dives into: a MENA author or book themes of culture, language, and belonging short reflections, accessible for all listeners 🎧 Listen, learn, and discover authors who deserve a wider audience.

  1. 2d ago

    Drawing Childhood Dreams with Maya Fidawi

    Welcome back to another episode of Raconte un peu, tell me more. We are opening up a world of colors, lines, and nostalgia that takes us straight back to our childhood. We sit down with the incredibly talented children's book illustrator, Maya Fidawi. Maya’s restless paintbrush has captured hearts across Lebanon and the Arab world, giving a vivid soul to every story she illustrates. In this episode, Maya invites us into her creative universe. She opens up about growing up on her own "different cloud," the beautiful artistic legacy left by her grandmother, and why she made the deliberate choice to never fully grow up so she could keep living in her magical, parallel world. Pour yourself a coffee, get comfortable, and let's dive into the story.

    40 min

  2. May 23

    Le Tisseur de récits : Une interview avec Jordan Elgrably

    Bienvenue dans l'univers d'un véritable gardien de la mémoire : Jordan Elgrably. Journaliste littéraire chevronné (ayant interviewé Milan Kundera ou publié dans Libération), il est aujourd'hui le rédacteur en chef de The Markaz Review. Dans cette conversation intime, Jordan nous raconte comment il a transformé un "centre culturel" en un carrefour mondial pour les voix du monde SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa). Au programme de cet épisode : Réinventer le "Markaz" : Comment transformer un mot à la connotation parfois policière en une place publique (un Zócalo) de dialogue. L'authenticité avant tout : Pourquoi il est crucial de laisser les Libanais parler du Liban et les Palestiniens de la Palestine, loin des clichés des experts occidentaux. Le futur de la littérature : Entre science-fiction dystopique et "autofiction", quelles sont les nouvelles tendances qui émergent dans le monde arabe ? Coup de projecteur : Jordan nous présente ses deux derniers ouvrages chez City Lights : Stories from the Center of the World (2024) et Sumūd (2025). Mots-clés : Jordan Elgrably, The Markaz Review, littérature arabe, patrimoine, Moyen-Orient, Sumūd, Beyrouth, récits de vie, podcast culture, Karim Kattan.

    25 min

  3. May 11

    خبّرنا شوي: إعادة اكتشاف الشرق الأوسط من خلال الأدب

    ما هو الشرق الأوسط بعيداً عن عناوين الأخبار المعتادة حول الحروب والسياسة؟ في هذه الحلقة من بودكاست خبّرنا شوي – Raconte un peu – Tell me more، تأخذكم بولين مهنا وساندرا في رحلة عبر "القصص غير المحكية" لمنطقة تنبض بالحياة. بعيداً عن الصور النمطية، نغوص في العوالم الأدبية لمبدعين مثل ربيع علم الدين وإيمان حميدان، لنكتشف معاً جمال وتعقيد وإنسانية ثقافتنا. :في هذه الحلقة نناقش لماذا اخترنا الأدب الشرق أوسطي موضوعاً للبودكاست؟ كيف نتجاوز السرديات التقليدية المرتبطة بالنزاعات؟ قوة الحكاية في الحفاظ على الهوية. لمحة عن الكتاب والروايات التي سنناقشها في هذا الموسم. :تواصلوا معنا https://www.instagram.com/raconte_un_peu_tell_me_more?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

    3 min

  4. May 11

    Raconte un peu : Redécouvrir le Moyen-Orient à travers sa littérature

    Qu’est-ce que le Moyen-Orient au-delà des titres de presse sur la guerre et la paix ? Raconte un peu – Tell me more – خبّرنا شوي vous invite à un voyage au cœur des « histoires jamais racontées » d'une région vibrante. Loin des clichés, nous explorons l'univers puissant d'écrivains tels que Rabih Alameddine et Iman Humaydan pour découvrir la beauté, la complexité et l'humanité de notre culture. Au programme de cet épisode : Pourquoi lancer un podcast sur la littérature moyen-orientale ? Dépasser le narratif réducteur du conflit. Le pouvoir du récit dans la préservation de l'identité. Un aperçu des auteurs et des œuvres que nous explorerons cette saison. Rejoignez la conversation : Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/raconte_un_peu_tell_me_more?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Langues : Anglais, Français, Arabe.

    3 min

  5. May 11

    Raconte un peu: Redefining the Middle East through Literature

    What is the Middle East beyond the headlines of war and peace? In this introductory episode of Raconte un peu – Tell me more – خبّرنا شوي invite you on a journey through the "untold stories" of a vibrant region. Moving past the clichés, we dive into the powerful world of Middle Eastern writers like Rabih Alameddine and Iman Humaydan to discover the beauty, complexity, and human heart of our culture. In this episode, we discuss: Why we started a podcast about Middle Eastern literature. Moving beyond the "war and peace" narrative. The power of storytelling in preserving identity. A preview of the authors and books we’ll be exploring this season. Join the conversation: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raconte_un_peu_tell_me_more?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Available in English, French, and Arabic.

    3 min

  6. May 9

    Unmasking the Prophet: A Deep Dive into Kahlil Gibran with Glen Kalem-Habib

    What happens when a 30-year obsession meets the legacy of one of history’s most beloved spiritual icons? In this episode of Raconte un peu / Tell me more, we sit down with Glen Kalem-Habib, a Lebanese-Australian documentary filmmaker and historian who has dedicated his life to uncovering the "real" Kahlil Gibran. From the streets of Beirut to the archives of New York and Paris, Glen shares the secrets that history books missed and the rebellious side of a man often misunderstood as just a mystic. In this episode, we explore: The Ice Breaker: Glen reveals the one question he’d ask Gibran face-to-face and the city that holds the "truest" essence of the poet’s soul. The Rebel & The Artist: A look at why The Madman might be more "real" than The Prophet and the truth behind Gibran's complex relationship with Mary Haskell. The Filmmaker’s Lens: Why static research wasn't enough and the challenges of producing historical documentaries in the age of 30-second viral clips. Personal Notes: Glen gets personal about his "guilty pleasures" outside of research and the one city in the world that feels like home the moment he lands. Whether you are a lifelong fan of The Prophet or a newcomer to Gibran’s world, this conversation bridges the gap between the legend and the man. Subscribe to Raconte un peu / Tell me more for more stories that bridge history, culture, and personality. #KahlilGibran #TheProphet #History #Documentary #Podcast #LebaneseCulture #Literature #TellMeMore

    46 min

  7. Apr 25

    From Beirut to the US: Iman Humaydan on "Songs for Darkness" & the Art of Translation

    What happens when a story travels from the heart of Lebanon to the bookshelves of the United States? 🇱🇧✈️🇺🇸 In this episode, we are joined by the legendary Iman Humaydan, a voice that has defined contemporary Lebanese literature. Following the success of her previous works, Iman takes us behind the scenes of her newest novel, Songs for Darkness, during her current U.S. book tour. What’s inside this episode: The Global Journey: Iman shares her experience touring the USA and how American audiences are connecting with her narrative. The Translation Bridge: A deep dive into the collaboration with Michelle Hartman, the translator who brought this story to the English-speaking world. Publishing with Purpose: We discuss the vital role of Michel Moushabeck and Interlink Publishing in amplifying diverse voices. Whether you are a fan of her previous hit "50 Grams of Paradise" or a new reader looking for your next literary obsession, this conversation offers a rare, intimate look at the life of a global author. Iman Humaydan Songs for Darkness Lebanese Authors Arabic Literature in English Interlink Publishing Book Tour 2026 Literary Translation Michelle Hartman Beirut Call

    27 min

  8. Apr 11

    Rima Bali: Love, Magic, and the Ghost of Aleppo in "Suleima’s Ring"

    Join us for an intimate conversation with Rima Bali, author of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction-shortlisted novel, Suleima’s Ring. In this episode, we journey from the ancient alleys of Aleppo to the banks of the Tagus River in Toledo, Spain. We explore the interwoven lives of Salma, an Italian musician named Shams al-Din, and Lucas, a Spanish-Jewish photographer. Together, we delve into: The Heart’s Compass: Salma’s struggle between duty, past affluence, and a present marked by conflict. The Legend of the Ring: How the fabled ring of Solomon serves as a metaphor for power, magic, and the "lost souls" of a city under rubble. Cultural Landscapes: The fragrance of Aleppo and the atmosphere of Sufism that permeates this moving narrative. Can a magic ring free a city buried under the rubble of dreams? We discuss the ever-elusive concept of truth and the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of the Syrian war.

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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About

'Raconte un peu – Tell me more is a trilingual (French–Arabic–English) podcast exploring MENA authors, books, and storytelling. Hosted by two sisters passionate about literature, Sandra and Pauline open conversations about identity, memory, migration, and the stories that shaped the Middle East and its diaspora. Every episode dives into: a MENA author or book themes of culture, language, and belonging short reflections, accessible for all listeners 🎧 Listen, learn, and discover authors who deserve a wider audience.

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