There are terrible things that happen in Saudi Arabia. I don't deny it. However, we have to have reasonable expectations when listening to a Saudi Podcast. Of course they're going to gloss over the problems in their country. When I visited the Saudi Embassy, the presentation they gave was filled with innaccuracies and denial. However, what it is useful for, though, is seeing what seeps through. The narrator doesn't hide his near disgust for homosexuals, nor the suspicion of Shiites, or acknowledgement of conservative marriage practises. And those non-mainstream opinions, from Western standards, are what will help us understand Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World in general. One can also say that in order to best fight the war on terror, we cannot demonize Muslims. Instead, we must engage them on the issues they admit they completely disagree with us on that they'll admit to-in podcasts like this (such as sexuality and secularism). Listen and learn, but with skepticism.

Great podcast. Please post more! I've already learned a lot from your interviews with Saudi nationals. Looking forward to more episodes.

Jmeeeell jeddaaann

I have listened to two only so far, Saudi Women and Marriage episodes. I have thoroughly enjoyed them and listening to the perspective of a Saudi citizen on these issues. His discussion is open minded while at the same time brings to point issues that I, as an American, had not thought about- certainly not medieval in his viewpoints whatsoever. He makes clear distinctions between Islam and tribal cultural practices, which is important because the two are often blened together in the media and presented as a facet of Islam. I look forward to future broadcasts of a unique perspective of Saudi culture.