Lately, I have been feeling apathetic while performing my daily chores or stuck in a cycle of overthinking that drains my mental and emotional energy. While looking for a song on YouTube to refresh my mood, I found a podcast sparking controversy on social media. Out of curiosity, I decided to find out what all the fuss was about; since then, listening to podcasts has become my daily routine as it accompanies me during long hours of housework or moments of boredom.
Source: SoundCloud
In recent years, podcast culture and content creation have experienced remarkable growth worldwide, becoming a popular means of expressing opinions, sharing knowledge, and entertainment. According to a study by Sirius XM, a podcast industry company, visual podcasts have significantly expanded their audience base in 2024, attracting 13 million monthly listeners via audio and video.
Podcasts gained a lot of popularity after the outbreak of the war in Sudan, as many Sudanese media professionals and content creators turned to podcasting. It's used as a medium of communication, whether to express their personal opinions, share the stories of others, or bring a smile and convey hope in these challenging circumstances.
This has inspired me to compile a list of the top Sudanese podcasts that, in my personal opinion, are worth following:
1- Wanassa ma'a Ossa (Chit-Chat with Ossaa): Presented by Yusra Youssif (aka Ossaa), a content creator who gained fame on TikTok before launching on YouTube, she currently resides in the United Arab Emirates.
Yusra Youssif (Ossaa), with the show's lucky charm (Katkoot). Source: Ossaa’s Facebook profile
The first season was complimented for its advancements in youth content production; It is distinguished by the venue's high standards, decor, filming quality, the use of the latest technologies and overall high production quality.
Additionally, she hosted accomplished Sudanese youth from different disciplines, and occasionally Arab nationalities. However, it ignited some criticism, particularly as it featured controversial figures who made statements that sparked discussions on social media, and perhaps this factored into the podcast's increased popularity.
Ossaa’s spontaneity and use of colloquial Sudanese dialect and GenZ slang make her content more relatable to the audience and more genuine. The informal nature of the conversation creates a comfortable atmosphere for both speech and responses, similar to a normal conversation between two people. The first season of the podcast was a huge success, prompting Ossaa to continue working on the second season.
One of the podcast episodes with "Gurja", the marketing manager at Afroleather, Sudanese tailor-made leather goods. Source: Ossaa's Instagram page
2- Hiba Cast: Presented by the well-known media personality Hiba Al-Mohandes, Hiba Cast features prominent individuals engaged in various fields both Sudanese and Arab nationals. This podcast is known for its precision in choosing guests and topics, which reflects Hiba’s vast media expertise. Asking thoughtful questions and managing a smooth dialogue is her forte, which allows guests to express their thoughts and opinions freely and in-depth.
The podcast logo. Source: Hiba Cast YouTube channel
The podcast covers a variety of topics, including arts, entrepreneurship, marketing, and content creation, as well as women's and societal issues. The Hiba Cast podcast's core audience are people in their mid-30s and above; this is mainly due to Hiba’s undisturbed and mature approach to presenting the episodes and discussions.
Episodes that are centered around local and indigenous topics have a familiar and close appeal to the general Sudanese palate, especially with the presence of prominent guests in every Sudanese household. Comments from the audience frequently request hosting individuals of the same age group.
Heba Al-Mohandes wears the traditional Sudanese attire "toub" in most of her episodes, which gives her a charismatic and awe appearance and enhances the authenticity of the content she presents. The audience is appreciative of this distinctive appearance, which reflects Sudanese heritage.
A podcast episode features her wearing the “toub” when she hosted the comedian Mohammed Terwis. Source: Hiba cast Facebook page
The only criticism of this podcast might be that Heba, as a host, sometimes tends to talk more than her guests, which limits the time for them to express their thoughts and share their experiences extensively.
3- Kaef? Podcast with Aya El-Baz: It is a women-focused content dedicated to women and girls, aiming to provide support and inspiration through purposeful topics.
The name of the podcast "Kaef" which means “How?” is a reference to the inspiring questions discussed, such as: How to become a successful businesswoman? How do mothers balance their professional lives and motherhood? How to seek a better life for your children? How do you turn a skill into a successful business? And how do you continue your studies outside Sudan? The podcast is distinguished by the quality of its content and its interest in providing practical advice that helps women develop their personal and professional lives.
One of the podcast episodes with entrepreneur Nawar Kamal owner of NK Jewellery. Source: Aya El-Baz YouTube channel
Aya interviewed several young female entrepreneurs who shared their journeys of self-discovery and answered the podcast’s key questions. In these episodes, they talked about ambition, success, persistence, and determination, and expressed the positive aspects that emerge when women insist on progress. The episodes highlight the strength and awareness of young Sudanese females and seek to present a beautiful and inspiring image far from cliché or seeking trends.
Aya is a smooth conversationalist who gives the guest enough comfortable space to answer and interact with her questions, creating an atmosphere of spontaneous and purposeful dialogue. The podcast has gained widespread popularity among young Sudanese females since its launch several months ago, with comments bursting with compliments and admiration for its content. The positive interaction is a reflection of the podcast's influence and the interest of the target group in Aya's topics.
One of the recurring criticisms of the podcast is the excessive use of English terminologies in the dialogue by the speakers and Aya herself; this style has confused some listeners who have found some sentences difficult to understand, leading many to call for subtitles to be added to the episodes to make it easier to understand and ensure that the content is accessible to everyone.
4- Belmahaba “With Love” dialogue: It is a podcast presented on the Televzyon channel on YouTube, a Sudanese platform that produces and publishes creative and entertaining visual content. This dialogue is distinguished by its humanistic approach, which seeks to establish a genuine and truthful discussion between two individuals who are close to each other, whether they are family members, friends, lovers, or spouses.
The podcast's objective is to uncover hidden human emotions and teach the audience how to listen to others and be truthful about their feelings, which is sacred in our time due to everyone's digital preoccupation; it is characterized by its cozy atmosphere, which may provoke laughter or tears, based on the sincerity of the moment and the shared experiences between the participants.
The “With Love” dialogue poster shows hosting a father and his daughter and two sisters. Source: Televzyon page on Facebook
Although the podcast is brief, roughly 15 minutes or so, you won’t get bored because of the emotions flowing between the participants, whether they are couples, a father and his young daughter, a mother and her teenage daughter, or two friends. This emotional interaction contributes to breaking the barriers of transparency that we rarely find in Sudanese society and addresses topics smoothly and consciously, making it a unique experience that provokes thoughts and feelings at the same time.
This podcast gives viewers the ability to overcome the hurdle of not being familiar with expressing emotions and connecting with close people by asking questions similar to those in the episodes, depending on the type of relationship.
My only concern with this podcast is that there is no introduction to the characters and their backgrounds before the dialogue begins, as the discussion begins without providing any information about the participants. This may affect some listeners’ engagement with the content.
5 - K&M Talk Podcast: It focuses on entrepreneurship and how it affects the development of effective relationships. It is presented by the duo Khaled Ali, a business consultant, and Muhallab Hamdan, a marketing and business development specialist. In their episodes, the duo presents simple stories and ideas about business growth and self-development while highlighting the importance of network building.
The duo of Khaled Ali, and Muhallab Hamdan the podcast hosts. Source: K&M Talk Podcast channel on Youtube
The content is specifically geared towards startups and entrepreneurs, covering effective strategies that can help them succeed in their fields. If you are looking for practical advice and expert opinions in this field, this podcast might be a good choice.
Some listeners have described the K&M Talk podcast as a “fun free course” in business, providing valuable content that helps them use their time and financial resources effectively.
The podcast's presenters are recognized for their ability to ensure that ideas flow smoothly, which assists listeners in fully immersing themselves in the topics being discussed.
6- Shai Laban ”Tea with Milk" podcast with Mustafa Al-Naeem: Is one of the most famous podcasts in Sudan, dating back to Ramadan of 2021 on Sudania 24 (S24) Local Television Channel. The podcast focuses on hosting prominent and influential figures in the Sudanese arena, including celebrities and public figures. The conversations with them address aspects of their lives, their achievements, and the personal experiences they have gone through.
Mustafa Al-Naeem and the distinctive podcast logo. Source: Shai Laban Facebook page
The podcast has been a huge success, reaching seven seasons so far. The name of the podcast is inspired by drinking tea mixed with milk "Shai Laban", which is a fixed habit in all Sudanese households. It is served after the Maghrib prayer (sunset prayer) and is associated with socializing, spontaneous communication, and fruitful discussions, making it an ideal ritual for sharing stories, tales, and laughter.
The "Shai Laban" podcast is distinguished by hosting a diverse group of personalities from different segments of society, making it a comprehensive platform that encompasses all ages and categories. Mustafa Al-Naeem delivers a smooth and engaging dialogue, allowing him to connect effectively with people of all ages.
He understands the nature of young people and their spontaneity, knowing how to engage in dialogue with women by addressing topics that are important to them. He also draws on the experience of the elderly, leveraging it to steer the conversation while highlighting their history and status in society. This ability to engage with various audiences makes each episode a unique experience that balances seriousness and fun, providing the audience with the opportunity to benefit from a wide range of stories and experiences.
7- Jebena Time Podcast: is a platform dedicated to aiding working Sudanese mothers in overcoming their daily struggles, whether it's at work or home. It is presented by Dr Salma Al-Faki, who conducts interviews with inspiring Sudanese figures from diaspora communities, where they share their personal experiences and secrets of success. The podcast revolves around providing valuable advice and inspiring mothers by discussing the difficulties and obstacles they faced and how they overcame them.
Dr. Salma Al-Faki, a doctor living abroad, exposes the challenges facing Sudanese women there. Source: Dr. Salma Al-Faki's Facebook profile
It features an engaging and entertaining dialogue style that blends Sudanese colloquial Arabic with English, seamlessly navigating between professional and personal topics. The flow makes it easy and flexible to connect with a diverse range of listeners.
Dr. Salma Al-Faki hosts women who are ambitious and strong and have successfully overcome difficulties and adapted to new environments outside their home countries, where they share inspiring experiences related to work-life balance.
The "Jebena" podcast episodes offer psychological and social assistance to women who are facing similar difficulties in new environments when sharing these stories of success and overcoming challenges. The episodes provide both inspiration and practical solutions for addressing the challenges of balancing work and family life.
Conclusion
This list exemplifies the creativity of Sudanese podcasts that are prominently featured on YouTube. These podcasts serve as a form of expression for Sudanese people to confront the deep sense of nostalgia they feel for Sudan after the war. Many episodes highlight stories of displacement, loss, and hardship that individuals have endured.
Some episodes focus on resilience, offering hope to those struggling to adapt to their new realities. These podcasts emphasize community empowerment by sharing valuable information and engaging in meaningful discussions on life issues that directly impact Sudanese people, whether they are inside or outside Sudan. These platforms help foster a sense of connection and solidarity within the Sudanese community, contributing to a spirit of hope and motivation to keep moving forward.
