The Lede

New Lines Magazine
  • 4.8 (27)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

This is The Lede, the New Lines Magazine podcast. Each week, we delve into the biggest ideas, events and personalities from around the world. For more stories from New Lines, visit our website, newlinesmag.com

  1. Queens, Cities and States in the Making of Africa

    2D AGO

    Queens, Cities and States in the Making of Africa

    In this first episode of 2026, award-winning broadcaster Zeinab Badawi joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss why traditional histories of Africa miss the mark, remarkable African figures from Cleopatra to Shaka Zulu, and Badawi’s book “An African History of Africa.” Produced by Finbar Anderson

    42 min
  2. Listen Again: How America’s Margins Became the Mainstream

    12/29/2025

    Listen Again: How America’s Margins Became the Mainstream

    Listen again to this rerun episode of the podcast, in which journalist Gabriel Gatehouse, host of The Coming Storm and the documentary “Seeking Satoshi,” joins New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai to discuss how exploring America’s fringe movements is the key to understanding the modern United States. Produced by Finbar Anderson

    45 min
  3. From Emotional Video Games to Early Music Chanting: The Christmas Episode

    12/22/2025

    From Emotional Video Games to Early Music Chanting: The Christmas Episode

    For this year’s Christmas special episode, New Lines editors highlight some of their favorite stories from the magazine and reflect on the power of culture to bring people together. A Palestinian Citizen of Israel Reflects on Life in the Shadow of Genocide in Gaza – by Rida Abu Rass Confessions of a Syrian Barrel Bomber – by Kamal Shahin When a Dutch Drug Kingpin Needed a New Base, Sierra Leone Welcomed Him With Open Arms – by Oliver Dunn and Josef Skrdlik The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City – by Yashica Dutt Produced by Finbar Anderson

    53 min
  4. Making the Case for American Power

    12/15/2025

    Making the Case for American Power

    Author and political scientist Shadi Hamid joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to argue his case for a U.S.-led world order, as set out in his new book, “The Case for American Power.” Produced by Finbar Anderson

    1h 1m
  5. How Power Hides Itself

    12/08/2025

    How Power Hides Itself

    Following the National Guard shootings in Washington, D.C., and recent revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and, separately, a Syrian charity, investigative journalists Murtaza Hussain and Lynzy Billing join Faisal Al Yafai to consider why and how powerful institutions and people cover their own tracks. Produced by Finbar Anderson

    53 min
  6. Lifting the Lid on the Criminal Underworld

    12/01/2025

    Lifting the Lid on the Criminal Underworld

    On this week’s episode, the historian and writer Mark Galeotti joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss his new book about the global criminal underworld, “Homo Criminalis,” and why he thinks Donald Trump’s controversial peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be a useful starting point. Produced by Finbar Anderson

    1h 7m
  7. Why the Internet Got Bad, and How To Fix It

    11/24/2025

    Why the Internet Got Bad, and How To Fix It

    On this week’s episode, bestselling author and tech blogger Cory Doctorow joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss why the internet has steadily, but noticeably, become unusable, as he sets out in his new book “Enshittification.” Produced by Finbar Anderson

    1 hr
  8. The Power Shifts Changing the Middle East, from Baghdad to Riyadh

    11/17/2025

    The Power Shifts Changing the Middle East, from Baghdad to Riyadh

    The Financial Times’ Raya Jalabi and writer Robin Yassin-Kassab join Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss elections in Iraq, and White House visits by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Produced by Finbar Anderson

    1h 4m
See All (241)

4.8
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This is The Lede, the New Lines Magazine podcast. Each week, we delve into the biggest ideas, events and personalities from around the world. For more stories from New Lines, visit our website, newlinesmag.com

Information

  • Creator
    New Lines Magazine
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    241
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright New Lines Magazine 2023 All rights reserved | 185634
  • Show Website
    The Lede

You Might Also Like