Sudanese Podcasts and YouTube Talk Shows to Listen to or Watch

2024 is the year for Sudanese podcasts as many were launched within the year, including the popular Al Sudan Podcast, Wanassa with Ossa, and Kaef?

Developed in 2004, a podcast, a was coined by journalist Ben Hammersley, combining ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcast’, is a digital audio programme that you can stream or download from the internet to listen to on-demand. Podcasts often consist of episodes focused on a particular topic, theme, or niche and can cover a wide range of subjects, including news, storytelling, education, interviews, entertainment, and more. They are commonly found on Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their popularity as people sought new ways to consume content during lockdowns. Today, podcasts are a global phenomenon, with millions of episodes available across various platforms.

The Sudanese Diaspora has recently caught on to the phenomenon with a few Sudanese content creators launching their own podcasts on various platforms to discuss Sudanese matters, educate, inspire, entertain or to simply just conversate.

Here are some Sudanese podcasts or YouTube talk shows you should check out:

Ahmed Gobara Talk Show – Ahmed Gobara (Arabic)

Launched in early 2024, Ahmed Gobara Talk Show is hosted by UAE-based Sudanese digital content creator Ahmed Gobara hosts a light-hearted YouTube talk show with well-known Sudanese and non-Sudanese guests such as Sudanese comedian Jalwak, Coah Yasmin, singer and actor Roua Mohammed Naem and more.

Social media: YouTube @AhmedGobara_8, Instagram @ahmed_gobara8, TikTok @ahmed.gobara8

Al Sudan Podcast – Rabei Siraj (Arabic)

Launched in mid-2024, Al Sudan Podcast is hosted by Sudanese podcaster Rabei Siraj, hosting Sudanese and non-Sudanese guests to talk about events, experiences, stories and positions from Sudan. This podcast has a more serious, socio-political tone than most Sudanese podcasts.

Social media: YouTube @alsudanpodcast, Instagram @alsudanpodcast, TikTok @alsudanpodcast

Hiba Cast – Hiba Almouhandis (Arabic)

Launched in 2023, Hiba Cast is a light-hearted podcast by Sudanese podcaster Hiba Almouhandis where she hosts Sudanese and non-Sudanese guests to share their experiences, stories and more. Although she has a few episodes, about 10, she has already hosted some popular Sudanese figures, including singers Nancy Ajaj and Nada Al Qalaa.

Social media: YouTube @hibacast, Instagram @hibacast

Jebena Time – Dr Salma Elfaki (Arabic, English)

Launched in mid-2014, Jebena Time is a podcast dedicated to helping Sudanese working mothers rise to the challenges they face on a daily basis and thrive at work and at home. Hosted by Dr Salma Elfaki, she interviews inspiring Sudanese figures from the diaspora who share their secrets to success and as well as the challenges they face.

Social media: YouTube @jebenatime, Instagram @salmaelfakimd, Facebook facebook.com/SalmaElfakiMD, TikTok @salmaelfakimd, website salmaelfakimd.com

Kaef? – Aya Elbaz (Arabic)

Washington DC-based Sudanese journalist and online content creator Aya Elbaz has launched her motivational podcast Kaef? in mid-2024, a women-focused platform, hosting friends, family and well-known figures to talk about how they have succeeded in life. As an entrepreneur herself, she seeks to motivate others to become successful in their businesses and life, in general.

Social media: Instagram @ayaelbaz_, YouTube @ayaelbaz_, Threads @ayaelbaz_

K&M Talk – Khalid Ali and Mahlab Hamdan (Arabic)

K&M Talk is a two-man podcast hosted by Khalid Ali and Mahlab Hamdan who together launched the podcast in early 2024, hosting Sudanese and non-Sudanese personalities to dive into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, exploring its role in driving development and cultivating meaningful relationships. They share unravel insights and stories, and navigate the realms of business growth, personal development and the power of authentic connections.

Social media: Youtube youtube.com/@KANDMTALK/featured, TikTok @khalid_e_ali, Instagram @khalid_e_ali

Kandaka Talks – Kandaka Dua (English)

Launched late 2024, Kandaka Talks is hosted by Sudanese model and marketer Dua Abdalla, better known as Kandaka Dua, in Bali, Indonesia, bringing guests from around the world to discuss breaking societal norms as well as other various topics such as entrepreneurship, culture, travel and more.

Social media: YouTube youtube.com/@KandakaTalks, Instagram @kandakatalks, website kandaka-dua.com

Shai Laban – Mustafa Al Naeem (Arabic)

Shai laban, is milk tea which an important aspect of Sudan’s tea and social culture, bringing people together over milk tea and conversation. Launched in 2023, Shai Laban is a podcast and programme that brings famous, influential people with touching stories to be interviewed by online content creator Mustafa Al Naim. He has hosted many notable figures such as Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu Alala, athlete Asma Elbadawi, designer Nader Terab, actress and singer Eiman Yousif, and more. The show will be available in Sudania 24 (S24) during the holy month of Ramadan.

Social media: YouTube @shailaban8325, Instagram @shailabansd, Facebook facebook.com/shailabansd

Wanassa with Ossa – Yusra Yousif (Arabic)

The popular Dubai-based Sudanese beauty and fashion online content creator Yusra Yousif, better known as Ossa, recently launched one of the first podcasts by Sudanese woman. In early 2024, Yusra launched the light-hearted Wanaasa with Ossa podcast where she hosts Sudanese and non-Sudanese friends and well-known online content creators, artists, musicians, designers and more for conversations about their careers, successes and challenges. She has now completed two seasons of her podcast and has hosted well-known personalities such as rapper Soulja, designer Amna Hamadto, singer Mazin Hamid, Saudi-Yemeni comedian Bader Saleh and more.

Social media: TikTok @wanassawithossaa, Instagram @wanassawithossaa, YouTube @yusrayoussif

Who are some of your favourites? Or have we missed some of your favourite podcasts or YouTube talk shows? Leave a comment below!