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The Take

Al Jazeera
Israel
Gaza
Iran
U.S. Military Spending
Jair Bolsonaro
Human Rights Abuses
UN Membership
Brazil
Far-Right Movement
West Bank
US Military Aid
Florida
Covid-19
Donald Trump
Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva
Culture Wars
CPAC
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
Sudan
Palestinian Territory

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 wor... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes750Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsPoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

The US military is increasing its presence in Puerto Rico as the Trump administration prepares for a possible clash with Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking. Ten thousand troops, advanced jets, drones and the USS Iwo Jima now sit on an island sti... more

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Each winter, Delhi is smothered in a toxic smog that chokes its residents, sending many to hospitals for acute respiratory ailments. The government has pledged to tackle the air pollution crisis, but the reality remains difficult. Amid fears that Ind... more

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One year after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syrians are returning home and trying to rebuild their lives. But questions over transitional justice and minority protections are testing whether this new Syria can become more than just another chapter of surv... more

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This week: 60 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 367 Palestinians in Gaza.  Israel said it would reopen Gaza's border with Egypt. Despite ongoing violence, Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank sought to find some normalcy. I... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Leila Nachawati
Professor of Communications at Carlos III University, specialist in communication and conflict, and author of 'When the Revolution is Over'.
Carlos III University
Episode: One year after al-Assad’s fall, is a new Syria emerging?
Patricia Gossman
Associate and Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch
Episode: Another Take: What will happen to Afghanistan’s CIA-backed militias?
Emran Feroz
A journalist based in Germany, often reporting from Afghanistan and covering the war on terror.
Episode: Another Take: What will happen to Afghanistan’s CIA-backed militias?
Alejandro Velasco
Associate Professor of History at New York University
New York University
Episode: How close is the US to war with Venezuela?
Ben Makuch
National security reporter and investigative reporter.
Al Jazeera
Episode: How Ukraine turned into the world’s drone testing lab
Justin Salhani
Freelance journalist based in Beirut
Episode: Another Take: Will the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire hold in Lebanon?
Rebecca Nagle
Cherokee writer and journalist
Episode: Tribal nations are getting their land back. Now what?
Shahed Abu Samra
19-year-old Palestinian woman who traveled from Gaza to South Africa
Episode: How are Palestinians from Gaza ending up in South Africa?
Abeer Ayyoub
Independent journalist and Palestinian from Gaza
Episode: How are Palestinians from Gaza ending up in South Africa?

Hosts

Malika Bilal
Award-winning journalist and host known for her engaging and insightful approach to international news.
Natasha Del Toro
Journalist specializing in international news with a focus on human rights.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Great show!

    In general, this show has great content about a wide range of topics. Have many good things to say about it. And one less-so. I was eager to listen to AI bubble episode of 13 November 2025. However, the host made more insightful commentary than the expert guest. If one truly listens to what is being said, the guest actually conveys very little analysis or information, certainly nothing that isn’t common understanding. AJ, please choose your guests based on their strength and depth of understand... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Babakoto
    South Africaa month ago
  • Fantastic news stories every day

    This is a fantastic news podcast that provides a (relatively) deep eye into a wide and diverse range of stories. It’s become an integral part of my daily routine. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    H-Newall
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Honest news

    I love this podcast. I live in Australia so the news I get is very focussed on the west. This is a great alternative, and a much more honest, news podcast on stories that aren’t told by my local news sources.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Damianjb1
    Australiaa month ago
  • Simply heartbreaking

    No you get no justice as Isreal don’t even see Palestine as humans Implying they are sadistic and no other country is going to stop them

    It makes no sense other than USA and UAE are driving this agenda along with the other wars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lovealways#
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Not news

    Simple propaganda

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dudermcsauceman
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praise for in-depth, international coverage that goes beyond Western narratives.
Some critique exists regarding guest selection, emphasizing the need for those who can provide substantial analysis.
The show has been credited with providing insights into underreported issues, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
Listeners appreciate the diverse and knowledgeable guests featured.
Overall, listeners commend the quality and thoroughness of reporting, making it a reliable news source.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#62
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#37
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#175
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#209
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#39
Australia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

One year after al-Assad’s fall, is a new Syria emerging?
Q: How central have women been in the work for reconciliation and justice?
Women have been at the forefront of work for memory, justice, and reparation since the beginning of the repression process and insist on the current government to take these matters seriously.
One year after al-Assad’s fall, is a new Syria emerging?
Q: What was daily life like?
There's hope on one hand but a lot of pain on the other, with Syria being completely isolated and suffering under harsh sanctions.
Another Take: What will happen to Afghanistan’s CIA-backed militias?
Q: From your expertise and from your reporting, what comes next? What do you first see happening?
Emran discusses potential scenarios for Afghanistan's future post-withdrawal, including possible civil war or continued CIA support for Afghan military forces.
Another Take: What will happen to Afghanistan’s CIA-backed militias?
Q: How do they look different from, let's say, regular Afghan army forces?
Emran notes that the KPF militia members are better equipped and trained, appearing more professional than the average Afghan soldier.
Another Take: What will happen to Afghanistan’s CIA-backed militias?
Q: Tell me how you first found out about these CIA-backed militia forces?
Emran describes being informed by a friend about a militia controlling his friend's province, which led him to investigate the Khost Protection Force.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Take

What is The Take about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This international news podcast features in-depth, interview-driven conversations about significant global events, often with those directly affected by the issues at hand. With a diverse array of topics ranging from political conflicts to social justice movements, each episode provides context and insights that go beyond the headlines. Notably recognized for its quality journalism, it frequently invites journalists, experts, and local voices to discuss complex narratives and foster a deeper understanding of pressing world issues. This approach makes it appealing for listeners seeking a more nuanced perspective on current affairs.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Take?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Take. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Take and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Take get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Take?

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How many subscribers and views does The Take have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Take has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Take?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Take:

1. The Inside Story Podcast
2. Al Jazeera News Updates
3. Democracy Now! Audio
4. The Intercept Briefing
5. Today in Focus

How many episodes of The Take are there?

The Take launched 7 years ago and published 750 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Take?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Take?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Take from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Take?

Recent guests on The Take include:

1. Leila Nachawati
2. Patricia Gossman
3. Emran Feroz
4. Alejandro Velasco
5. Ben Makuch
6. Justin Salhani
7. Rebecca Nagle
8. Shahed Abu Samra

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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