About the Show
Recent Episodes
SWANA Podcast - Sunday, June 21, 2026
Rana Sharif discusses President Trump's proclamation of an agreement with Iran, highlighting uncertainty about its terms and the potential for Israeli sabotage. David Lloyd speaks with Hamoud Sadeh about the implications of the agreement and the role of Israel in the peace process. The Palestinian Youth Movement's campaign against GKN in Garden Grove is outlined by organizers Sofia Oueda and Laya Al-Bata, who detail the risks posed by a chemical storage tank failure and their demands for accountability. Amaya Gelman discusses her book on the Anti-Defamation League, critiquing its historical role and current influence in U.S. politics and education.
Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Radio Intifada Show: Sovereignty Beyond Borders This week, on Radio Intifada, we consider what sovereignty means beyond the borders communities are relegated to, from Iran to the Himalayas. We’re bringing you a conversation between a Kurdish filmmaker and an Ahwazi human rights researcher. Together, we’ll consider what sovereignty and anti-imperialism means for ethnic minorities in Iran as the US-Israel war against the country goes into its 4th month. Then, we interview Indigenous Kinnauri filmmaker Nihaarika Negi about her short film, Tenfa, which had its world premiere last month at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Misha Choudhry and Nihaarika talk about the relationship between oral traditions and Indigeneity in the South Asian context and more.
Misha Chaudhry discusses Kurdish and Ahwazi struggles in Iran with Hamoun Dolitshahi and Jude Al-Awazi. Jude Al-Awazi states that the Ahwazi Arabs are the indigenous people of southwest Iran, facing erasure from both the Pahlavi dynasty and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hamoun Dolitshahi describes the Kurds as the largest ethnic group without a nation-state, emphasizing their historical presence in the region. Niharika Nagy discusses her film "Tenfa," which explores indigenous knowledge and climate change through the lens of three generations of women searching for a medicinal herb. She highlights the importance of reclaiming indigenous narratives in film.
Friday, May 15, 2026 - This week marks the 78th year of the Palestinian Nakba. A story often told through the displacement of nearly 750,000 Palestinians; a story often told through the dispossession of Palestinian land and people. But, it is also a story told through the steadfast sumud of a people who for over 78 years have resisted by any and every means the condition of a settler colonial project– including journalism. This week, on Radio Intifada, we look at those who risk their lives to tell the stories of Palestine and Palestinians in the face of a settler project. What does it mean to be a journalist in Palestine when your life and livability are under constant threat? What does it mean to be a journalist from Gaza during an accelerated genocide?
Rana Sharif introduces the broadcast from KPFK, discussing the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba and the ongoing threats to journalists in Palestine. David Lloyd speaks with Sharif Abdul-Khudus about the declining state of press freedom in the U.S. and abroad, highlighting the killing of journalists in Gaza and Lebanon. Abdul-Khudus argues that the situation for journalists is dire, with unprecedented levels of violence and impunity. Robert Greenwald discusses his film 'Gaza: Journalism Under Fire,' emphasizing the importance of independent media and the need for accountability in the face of violence against journalists. The broadcast concludes with a call for support of independent journalism.
Friday, May 8, 2026 - This week's Radio Intifada we preview KPFK’s Saturday, May 9th Sumud event being held under the banner, Sumud: A celebration of Palestinian Culture, Resistance, and Solidarity. In remembrance of the 78th year of the Palestinian Nakba, KPFK is convening journalists, labor leaders, entertainment organizers, educators, filmmakers, and faith communities for an afternoon and evening in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles.
Rana Sharif introduces the broadcast from Radio Encefada, previewing KPFK's Sumud event celebrating Palestinian culture and resistance. Dr. Ramzi Baroud discusses his family history and the impact of the Israeli occupation on Gazans, emphasizing the collective struggle of Palestinians. Rula Selbek shares her experiences as a filmmaker facing industry censorship for speaking out on Palestine. Nidal Rafidi, vice president of Teamsters Local 1932, outlines his efforts to mobilize union support for Palestinian liberation, highlighting the importance of grassroots education and solidarity within labor movements.
SWANA Podcast - Sunday, May 3, 2026
Rana Sharif and David Lloyd host a discussion with guests Lara Shihai, Stephen Shihai, and Nadera Shalhoub Kavorkian about the themes in their book, Psychoanalysis Under Occupation. Lara Shihai and Stephen Shihai describe their research on Palestinian therapists and the impact of Israeli settler colonialism on Palestinian lives. They argue that the refusal to succumb to despair is a form of resistance. Nadera Shalhoub Kavorkian discusses the psychological effects of living under occupation and the importance of understanding trauma within its socio-political context. The conversation emphasizes the need for a decolonial approach to psychoanalysis that centers Palestinian experiences.
SWANA Podcast - Sunday, April 26, 2026
Rana Sharif discusses Genocide Remembrance Month and the importance of remembering victims of genocide. Munira Khayat, a Lebanese anthropologist, describes the current war in Lebanon, detailing the destruction and displacement caused by ongoing violence. Khayat outlines the historical context of the conflict, including the assassination of Lebanese military leaders and the impact on civilian life. Shash Trivet, a Sri Lankan poet, speaks about her book, The Naming of Names, which honors victims of the Tamil genocide and emphasizes the significance of remembering individual lives lost during the civil war.