S02. Episode 9. Who are the Parsis? – Sarah Stewart and Juan de Lara

Dr Stewart introduces us to one of the most dynamic communities in the history of the world, the Parsis

Listen Now

S02. Episode 8. Reviving the Cradle of Hindustani Culture – Ratish Nanda and Seif El Rashidi

Ratish tells us about the transformation of neighborhoods and communities in India

Listen Now

S02. Episode 7. Contextualising the Occult – Liana Saif and Juan de Lara

Liana explores how the occult sciences have addressed social anxieties and cultural challenges throughout history

Listen Now

S02. Episode 6. The Taj Mahal – Mehreen Chida-Razvi and Juan de Lara

Mehreen explores the cultural synthesis on this monument symbol of eternal love

Listen Now

S02. Episode 5. A World of Pearls – Robert Carter and Seif el Rashidi

Robert sheds light into the pearl trade and how it has shaped global economy

Listen Now

S02. Episode 4. The Epics of Heroes – Jaimee Comstock-Skipp and Seif el Rashidi

Jaimee discusses the nuances and anecdotes found in the Shahname “The Book of Kings” of the Iranian world

Listen Now

S02. Episode 3. A Journey to Mount Sinai – George Manginis and Juan de Lara

George will reveal how the monastery has been an important place of pilgrimage for Christendom, Islam and Judaism

Listen Now

S02. Episode 2. The Story of Coffee – Nancy Um and Seif El Rashidi

Nancy Um untangles the myths and stories related to coffee and its origin in Ethiopia and Yemen

Listen Now

S02. Episode 1. Cultural Resilience in a Changing World – Salma Tuqan and Juan de Lara

Salma Tuqan gives us a better insight of the thriving and resilient cultural scene experienced in the Levant

Listen Now

Episode 18. The Spirit of Hagia Sophia – Bissera Pentcheva and Juan de Lara

Bissera Pentcheva explores the history of this awe-inspiring monument

Listen Now

Episode 17. The Importance of the Moon – Ulrike Al-Khamis and Juan de Lara

Ulrike Al-Khamis explores our fascination with this celestial body and looks at the role it has played in Islam

Listen Now

Episode 16. A Matter of Perspective – eL Seed and Juan de Lara

eL Seed sheds light into his career, his projects and his roots, to reveal the ingredients that form his unique art

Listen Now

Episode 15. Rethinking Identities: Iran & Beyond – Sussan Babaie and Seif El Rashidi

Babaie discusses misconceptions and stereotypes regarding our past and own cultures.

Listen Now

Episode 14. China & the Other – Nixi Cura and Juan de Lara

Cura gives us a comprehensible insight on how China has dealt with different ethnicities and minorities

Listen Now

Episode 13. The Sanctuary at the Heart of Islam – Simon O’Meara and Seif El Rashidi

O’Meara shares a fascinating conversation about the Kaaba

Listen Now

Episode 12. A Game of Thrones – Tarek Swelim and Seif El Rashidi

Swelim shares a remarkable time in history full of political conflict, intrigue and of course, beauty: Mamluk Egypt.

Listen Now

Episode 11. Storytelling: The Art of Greater Being – Alia Alzougbi and Juan de Lara

An inspiring and thought-provoking tale about individuality, self-overcoming and our role in community. 

Listen Now

Episode 10. The Forgotten Kingdoms of India – Navina Haidar and Seif El Rashidi

Haidar takes us to a journey to discover the wealth and riches of the Sultanates of the Deccan

Listen Now

Episode 9. World Trade & Art: The Malay World- Michael Backman and Juan de Lara

Michael reveals the importance and key role of the Malay world in the history of art, economy and business

Listen Now

Episode 8. The Fascination of Islam – Anna Contadini and Juan de Lara

Anna Contadini takes us to an evocative journey to discover the fascination that Islamic art inspired in Europe

Listen Now

Episode 7. The Crusades Monarchs and Merchants – Scott Redford and Seif El Rashidi

Scott Redford shows us how the Crusades were more than violence and Holy War

Listen Now

Episode 6. The Gardens of Palestine – Lara Zureikat and Seif El Rashidi

Lara Zureikat talks about the sweet smell of rosemary and the fragrance of thyme in this epic project in Palestine.

Listen Now

Episode 5. Ottoman Complexities – Edhem Eldem and Juan de Lara

Edhem Eldem reflects on the past, multiculturalism and orientalism taking the Ottoman Empire as a case study.

Listen Now

Episode 4. God is Beautiful and Loves Beauty – Doris  Behrens Abouseif and Seif El Rashidi

Doris B. Abouseif shares her research on concepts of beauty and objects from the Islamic past

Listen Now

Episode 3. Art in Peril – Layla S. Diba and Juan de Lara

Layla S. Diba narrates her experiences directing the Negarestan Museum in Tehran—and how it was erased from history.

Listen Now

Episode 2. Can we learn from the past? Nasser O. Rabbat and Seif El Rashidi

With COVID-19 the world seems to navigate towards the unknown. However, we might be able to learn from history?

Listen Now

Episode 1. Islamic Art at The British Museum – Venetia Porter and Juan de Lara

How institutions are reacting to coronavirus and what is making the young further engage with culture?

Listen Now