Arab Is Me

Said Durrah | Arab Is Me

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by comedian, humanitarian, and community organizer Said Durrah that explores Arab identity through honest conversations with artists, activists, entrepreneurs, athletes, scholars, entertainers, and changemakers from across the Arab world and diaspora. Every guest has a different story. Together, they explore culture, heritage, family, faith, success, struggle, and what it truly means to be Arab. For too long, others have tried to define Arabs through headlines, politics, and stereotypes. Arab Is Me hands the microphone back to Arabs themselves.

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    The Arab Is Me Mailbag: Nothing Is Off Limits 📬🔥 | Said Durrah | Arab Is Me Podcast

    Episode 15 is different. No guest. No script. Just Said Durrah — and a mailbag full of questions he had never seen before. After spending the first 14 episodes asking everyone else the questions, Said finally gets put in the hot seat for the first-ever Arab Is Me Mailbag. And apparently, nothing was off limits. Am I Palestinian enough? Have I ever turned down money because of Palestine? Who surprised me most in Arab entertainment? Do I regret spending so much of my career building other people instead of building myself? What do I think the Arab community gets right — and where are we getting it completely wrong? Said also talks Mohammed Assaf, the Arab Is Me guests who have affected him most, Arab identity, supporting our own businesses and culture, why he refuses to change the pronunciation of his name, and — naturally — the important debate of maqluba vs. mansaf. This one is personal. It's funny. It gets uncomfortable. There are tangents. There are opinions. And there are answers Said didn't have time to prepare. Welcome to the Mailbag. 📬🔥 Want your question in the next one? Email arabismepodcast@gmail.com with MAILBAG in the subject line. Like, follow, subscribe, comment and share Arab Is Me with someone who needs to hear these conversations. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on the Arab Is Me Podcast are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organizations, employers, sponsors, platforms, or partners. This podcast is intended for informational, cultural, and entertainment purposes. References to individuals, organizations, events, or current affairs reflect personal perspectives and experiences discussed during the conversation. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    The Arab Is Me Mailbag: Nothing Is Off Limits 📬🔥 | Said Durrah | Arab Is Me Podcast
  2. Aug 26 ·  Video

    They Killed His Brothers. His Family Kept Feeding Gaza. | Hani Almadhoun | Arab Is Me Podcast

    Hani Almadhoun has lost two brothers in Gaza. Yet through unimaginable grief, his family has continued feeding people across Gaza. In this deeply personal episode of Arab Is Me, Said sits down with Hani Almadhoun, Palestinian American humanitarian, Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA, and co-founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Hani opens up about the loss of his brothers Majid and Mahmoud, the work his family continues to do on the ground in Gaza, and the impossible reality of helping thousands of people while knowing there are always more people you cannot reach. They also talk about something that too often gets lost behind the headlines: the beauty of Gaza. The beach. The food. The family gatherings. The humor. The ingenuity. The random uncle who shows up. The sounds and smells that immediately take you home. Hani reminds us that Gaza isn't simply a place of destruction or suffering. It is home. Said and Hani also get into the responsibility of humanitarian organizations to be transparent, raising Palestinian children in America, the importance of Arab and Palestinian political engagement, and why our community needs to show up, vote, organize, donate, and tell our own stories. And then we head to Al-Bab, where things get lighter: Ghazawi food debates, Arab dinner etiquette, Abdel Halim vs. Mohammed Assaf, the nonprofit question Hani is tired of hearing, and whether buying someone coffee really counts as paying them back for a steak dinner. This is a conversation about grief, family, service, resilience, and a family that refused to stop feeding Gaza. 🎙️ Arab Is Me — Real Arabs. Real Stories. Real Conversations. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Arab Is Me Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, the podcast, its team, sponsors, or affiliated organizations. The content of this episode is intended for informational and conversational purposes. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    They Killed His Brothers. His Family Kept Feeding Gaza. | Hani Almadhoun | Arab Is Me Podcast
  3. Aug 19 ·  Video

    His Family Fled Iraq. He Became a Top Arab DJ. | DJ Ahmed | Arab Is Me

    His family fled war in Iraq. Years later, DJ Ahmed would become one of the most recognized Arab DJs in America. After the Gulf War, Ahmed’s father fled Iraq and spent years in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia before the family was eventually reunited and began a new life in the United States. Ahmed once dreamed of becoming a doctor, but his path would take him from working with refugees and building a career in tech to discovering an unexpected calling behind the DJ booth. In this episode of Arab Is Me, Ahmed opens up about growing up Iraqi in America, family expectations, leaving the traditional career path, battling imposter syndrome, knowing your worth, navigating faith and community expectations, and building spaces where Arabs can celebrate their culture through music. Then we put a professional DJ through Al-Bab, with some nearly impossible choices about Arab music, weddings, dancing, and which country really has the best music. This is a conversation about Iraq, family, survival, identity, music, entrepreneurship, and having the courage to bet on yourself. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    His Family Fled Iraq. He Became a Top Arab DJ. | DJ Ahmed | Arab Is Me
  4. Aug 12 ·  Video

    Wait... Palestine Has a Golf Team?! 🇵🇸⛳ | Mike Easmeil | Arab Is Me Podcast

    Most people have no idea Palestine has a golf team. It does. And in this episode, Mike Easmeil shares the incredible story of how his family helped build the Palestine Golf program while his children proudly represent Palestine in international competition. But this conversation goes far beyond golf. Mike takes us through his family's journey from Palestine to Norfolk, Virginia, what it was like growing up Palestinian in a place with very few Arabs, and how reconnecting with his homeland transformed the way he viewed his identity. We also talk about comedy, raising children who are proud of their heritage, the importance of taking your family back to where they came from, and why representing Palestine is about much more than where you live. This is a conversation about family, identity, resilience, and the responsibility we all have to carry our culture forward. Whether you are passionate about Palestine, sports, or simply love hearing remarkable stories, this is an episode you will not want to miss. About Mike Easmeil Mike Easmeil is a Palestinian American comedian, golfer, and advocate for the growth of Palestine Golf. Through his work with the Palestine Golf Association, he has helped create opportunities for Palestinian athletes around the world while supporting the next generation of golfers representing Palestine on the international stage. Subscribe to Arab Is Me on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us each week as we explore the stories, identities, and experiences that make up the Arab world. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    Wait... Palestine Has a Golf Team?! 🇵🇸⛳ | Mike Easmeil | Arab Is Me Podcast
  5. Aug 5 ·  Video

    "Every Two Minutes a Mom Dies." Here's How We Stop It | Isra Chaker | Arab Is Me Podcast

    Every two minutes, a mother dies from preventable complications during pregnancy or childbirth. It's a heartbreaking statistic—but one that Isra Chaker refuses to accept. In this episode of Arab Is Me, Said Durrah sits down with Isra Chaker, Founder & CEO of Every Pregnancy, to discuss one of the most overlooked issues in our communities: maternal health. Isra shares her own experience with a complicated pregnancy, the inspiration behind launching Every Pregnancy, and why she believes every community has a role to play in ensuring no mother dies from preventable causes. Together, they explore why conversations around pregnancy, fertility, postpartum health, and motherhood are still considered taboo, and what it will take to change that. In this episode, you'll hear about:  Why maternal mortality remains a global crisis.  Isra's personal pregnancy journey and how it changed her life.  Why pregnancy and fertility are conversations we need to stop avoiding.  How simple, affordable interventions are already saving mothers' lives.  The role faith, philanthropy, and community can play in protecting mothers and babies.  How men, families, and friends can better support women during pregnancy and postpartum.  Why investing in mothers is one of the most impactful investments we can make. And because this is Arab Is Me, the episode wraps up with our signature Al Bab rapid-fire questions, where Isra shares her favorite Syrian dishes, reflects on Arab culture, family traditions, and answers a few fun questions you won't hear anywhere else. Whether you're a parent, hope to become one, work in healthcare or humanitarian aid, or simply want to better understand the experiences of mothers around the world, this conversation is filled with insight, compassion, and hope. Guest: Isra Chaker Organization: Every Pregnancy Subscribe to Arab Is Me for new conversations every Wednesday featuring inspiring voices from across the Arab world and diaspora. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    "Every Two Minutes a Mom Dies." Here's How We Stop It | Isra Chaker | Arab Is Me Podcast
  6. Jul 29 ·  Video

    Linda Sarsour | What It Means to Fight for Home | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah

    Linda Sarsour has spent decades organizing communities, advocating for justice, and becoming one of the most recognizable Palestinian-American voices in the world. But this conversation goes far beyond the headlines. On this episode of Arab Is Me, Linda joins Said Durrah for an honest conversation about home, identity, family, and what it truly means to fight for something you love. She reflects on being denied entry into Palestine, why no one can take your homeland out of your heart, the beauty of growing up Arab, and the responsibility we all have to build stronger communities. Together, they explore the difference between social media and real impact, why solidarity begins with showing up for others, and how ordinary people can create extraordinary change. Along the way, Linda shares personal stories from her childhood in Brooklyn, lessons from her parents, unforgettable moments from Palestine, and why hope continues to guide her work. And because this is Arab Is Me, the episode ends with our signature Al Bab segment, where Linda takes on rapid-fire questions about Arab culture, weddings, hasad, Fairuz vs. Umm Kulthum, and much more. Whether you've followed Linda's journey for years or are meeting her for the first time, this episode offers a side of her that audiences rarely get to see—personal, reflective, humorous, and deeply rooted in what it means to call a place home. Connect with Linda Sarsour Instagram: @lsarsour Website: lindasarsour.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Arab Is Me on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe on YouTube for new episodes every Wednesday. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    Linda Sarsour | What It Means to Fight for Home | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah
  7. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Sam Ghanem | From Rock Bottom to Radical Authenticity | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah

    What does it take to go from addiction and rock bottom to becoming a TEDx speaker, serial entrepreneur, and trusted strategist for Fortune 500 companies? In this episode of Arab Is Me, Said Durrah sits down with Sam Ghanem for an honest conversation about resilience, identity, recovery, and rebuilding a life with purpose. Born to Lebanese parents and raised in South Florida, Sam shares the deeply personal story of childhood adversity, addiction, losing nearly everything she had built, and the determination that helped her transform her life. Today, she is the Founder of SG INK, a Fractional CMO, comedian, TEDx speaker, and entrepreneur helping Fortune 500 companies, high-growth organizations, and visionary entrepreneurs build authentic brands and meaningful businesses. Together, Said and Sam discuss growing up Arab-American, overcoming addiction, finding authenticity, the role comedy has played in healing, and why your greatest setbacks don't have to define your future. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or simply looking for an inspiring story of perseverance, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to rewrite your story. Connect with Sam Ghanem Instagram: @samwghanem Episode Highlights Sam's journey from addiction and rock bottom to the TEDx stageGrowing up Arab-AmericanRebuilding after failureAuthenticity in life and businessComedy as a path to healingEntrepreneurship with purposeDefining success on your own termsAbout Arab Is Me Hosted by comedian Said Durrah, Arab Is Me explores the people, cultures, stories, and experiences that shape what it means to be Arab today through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, advocates, entertainers, and changemakers from across the Arab world and diaspora. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Arab Is Me are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This content is intended for conversation, education, and entertainment. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    Sam Ghanem | From Rock Bottom to Radical Authenticity | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah
  8. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Omar Kurdi | From Community Leader to Creative Dreamer | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah

    What does it mean to dream without limits?In this episode of Arab Is Me, host Said Durrah sits down with Omar Kurdi—a CEO, musician, poet, actor, author, and community leader whose life has been guided by one simple philosophy: "Be a dreamer who dares to dream."Born in San Francisco and raised between Muscat, Oman and Amman, Jordan, Omar has spent his life building bridges through leadership, creativity, and service. Most recently, his self-funded music video celebrating Jordan's historic FIFA World Cup qualification reached more than one million views in just two weeks, introducing his music to audiences around the world. But this conversation goes far beyond music. Together, Said and Omar explore what it means to embrace your Arab identity, preserve your family's stories, pursue creativity without fear, and build a legacy defined not by titles—but by purpose. They discuss community organizing, nonprofit leadership, poetry, theater, music, faith, storytelling, and why the people who change the world are often those courageous enough to dream before anyone else believes it's possible. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up between America, Oman, and JordanThe story behind Omar's million-view World Cup anthemWhat it truly means to be ArabBuilding community through leadership and servicePreserving family history before it's lostPoetry, music, theater, and writing a deeply personal novelAuthenticity, purpose, and chasing meaningful workWhy everyone should dare to dream biggerThe legacy we leave behindWhether you're an artist, entrepreneur, advocate, or simply searching for purpose, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to choose between your passions. Sometimes the greatest thing you can do is simply become the person you were created to be. Connect with Omar Kurdi🌐 Website: https://omarkurdi.net 📸 Instagram: @omarkurdiofficial 🎵 YouTube: Kurdi Music Official About Arab Is MeHosted by comedian Said Durrah, Arab Is Me explores the stories, cultures, identities, and experiences that shape what it means to be Arab today. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, advocates, entertainers, and changemakers, we celebrate the diversity, resilience, humor, and humanity of our community—one story at a time. New episodes every Wednesday. Follow Arab Is Me 🎙️ YouTube: @arabismepodcast 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 𝕏 X: @arabismepod Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on Arab Is Me are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This podcast is intended to encourage thoughtful conversation, celebrate Arab voices, and foster greater understanding through storytelling. Send us Fan Mail Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique. 🎙️ New episodes released regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests. 🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com 📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast 🎧 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: 📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast 🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast 📘 Facebook:

    Omar Kurdi | From Community Leader to Creative Dreamer | Arab Is Me Podcast w/ Said Durrah

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by comedian, humanitarian, and community organizer Said Durrah that explores Arab identity through honest conversations with artists, activists, entrepreneurs, athletes, scholars, entertainers, and changemakers from across the Arab world and diaspora. Every guest has a different story. Together, they explore culture, heritage, family, faith, success, struggle, and what it truly means to be Arab. For too long, others have tried to define Arabs through headlines, politics, and stereotypes. Arab Is Me hands the microphone back to Arabs themselves.

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