The fires burning through Los Angeles now are already the worst in the history of California, a state known for its wildfires. Thousands have lost their homes, and nearly 180,000 have been forced to evacuate. What is it like to be in the city on fire?

In this episode:

• Manuel Rápalo (@Manuel_Rapalo), Journalist, Los Angeles

• Mona Holmes (@monaeats), Eater LA reporter

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li and Tamara Khandaker with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

At the end of a six-day funeral service, former US President Jimmy Carter will be laid to rest next to his wife in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. The 39th president died at 100 years old on December 29. How did his legacy impact the world?

In this episode:

• Hamid Dabashi (@DabashiHamid), Professor of Literature, Columbia University

• Shawan Jabarin (@SJabaren), General Director, Al-Haq

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Miranda Lin with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Khaled Soltan, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The Palestinian Authority is intensifying operations in the occupied West Bank, with violent crackdowns in Jenin and efforts to silence dissent, including shutting down Al Jazeera’s bureau. What’s driving this escalation?

In this episode:

• Dalia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa), Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Baghat, Ashish Malhotra, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich, and our host, Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Identity politics has become a defining buzzword in US politics, coming under fire for being a type of political representation without real change. But what was the intention of the people who first came up with the term – and what kind of power does that original intention wield today?

In this episode:

• Olufemi Taiwo, Political Philosopher, @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé,  with Manny Panaretos, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, and our host, Kevin Hirten.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As 2025 unfolds, the world faces significant shifts. From climate crises in West Africa to continuing wars in Gaza and Sudan, Al Jazeera correspondents share their insights on the key events and challenges shaping the year ahead.

In this episode:

• Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera White House Correspondent

• Dorsa Jabarri (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera Correspondent

• John Holman (@Johnhiolman100), Al Jazeera Mexico and Latin America Correspondent

• Nicolas Haque (@NicolasHaque), Al Jazeera Correspondent

• Tony Cheng (@tlcbkk), Al Jazeera Asia Correspondent

• Maram Humaid (@maramgaza), Al Jazeera Digital Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline and Malika Bilal.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters. Our editorial intern is Hagir Saleh. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

We are coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria continues. Israeli attacks in Gaza kill nearly 200 in three days. The Palestinian Authority has banned Al Jazeera from operating in the occupied West Bank. The Biden administration approves more arms for Israel. Syria is set to resume international flights from Damascus. It is day 457 of the war in Gaza, where more than 45,717 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:

• Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Hamdah Salhut, (@hamdahsalhut) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Alan Fisher, (@AlanFisher) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Hashem Ahelbarra, (@hashemahel) Al Jazeera Correspondent

This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on July 4, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Locals are fighting to reclaim their city from tourism in a mass demonstration in Barcelona on July 6. The tourism boom has impacted local life, housing, and culture, pushing the city to the brink.

In this episode:

• Carme Arcarazo (@carmearcarazo), Speaker of Barcelona’s tenant union (@sindicatlloguer), housing researcher at La Hidra

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Marcos Bartolomé, Amy Walters, Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan, Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya, Ashish Malhotra, Duha Mossad, and our host, Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on October 22. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh were killed by Israel, leaving the group to debate a successor. And, as Israel’s war on Gaza continues, questions remain about what lies ahead for Gaza’s leadership and its people.

In this episode:

• Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), Lawyer and Al-Shabaka Board Member

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, and Sarí el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mohannad Al-Melhem, Cole Van Miltenburg, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, and our host, Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari, Vienna Maglio and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.

Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube