The Take cover art

The Take

The Take

By: Al Jazeera
Listen for free

About this listen

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

2025 Al Jazeera Media Network. All rights reserved.
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why are US warships going to Venezuela?
    Aug 28 2025

    Thousands of US troops are on warships heading to Venezuela’s coast. President Donald Trump says the move is part of his administration’s fight against drug cartels that the US has labelled terrorist organizations. In response, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has ordered troops to the border and called on citizens to mobilize to defend the country. Is Trump’s aggressive move about fighting drugs or a signal of broader US intervention?

    In this episode:

    Alessandro Rampietti (@rampietti), Al Jazeera Reporter

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz, Kylene Kiang, Diana Ferrero and Tracie Hunte with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, and Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili.

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

    Connect with us:

    @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Why is Trump going after the Smithsonian museums?
    Aug 27 2025

    The Smithsonian museums are now the focus of a review ordered by US President Donald Trump targeting exhibits on slavery, immigration and LGBTQ history. The White House told The Take taxpayer money should not fund displays that divide Americans and the Smithsonian Institution should present history in an accurate, factual way. Can Trump reshape the largest museum complex in the world?

    In this episode:

    • Samuel J. Redman, Professor of History & Director of Public History Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Noor Wazwaz, and Tracie Hunte, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili.

    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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Famine has been declared in Gaza. Will anything change?
    Aug 26 2025

    Famine has been declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than half a million Palestinians facing “catastrophic conditions,” according to a UN-backed monitor. As Israel advances its plan to seize Gaza City, what scars will famine leave on Palestinians for generations to come?

    In this episode:

    • Dr. Mimi Syed (@Memers1st), Emergency Medical Doctor

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Tracie Hunte, Julia Muldavin, and Marcos Bartolomé, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Amy Walters and Sarí el-Khalili.

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

    Connect with us:

    @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.