Rephonic
Artwork for The Take

The Take

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

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Take

Latest Episodes

Before Israeli occupation, there was British colonialism. We speak to director Annemarie Jacir about Palestine 36, her epic film about the 1936 Palestinian revolt that almost succeeded, the often-forgotten roots of today’s crisis, and why this histor... more

Strikes on Iran have killed senior figures, raising questions about who still holds power. We take a closer look at the key players inside Iran’s system and explain how it works, who shapes decisions and what the loss of top figures could mean for th... more

The war on Iran is spreading into classrooms and campuses. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American universities in neighboring countries, after attacks on two Iranian universities over the weekend. Since the start of the war, at ... more

YouTube

Iran appears to believe it can survive this war. That calculation may be shaping its stance on a ceasefire, even as strikes continue and talk of US troops on the ground is growing. Why does Iran think it’s winning, and what would Tehran need to agree... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Al Jazeera
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera Network
The Global Story
The Global StoryBBC World Service

Recent Guests

Abdulla Hawez
Researcher focused on the Middle East geopolitics, based in London
London-based researcher
Episode: Why Iraq is the most fragile front in the US-Israel war on Iran
Ed Augustin
British reporter
Al Jazeera
Episode: Inside Trump’s quiet plan to ‘take’ Cuba
Justin Dargin
Senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs
Middle East Council on Global Affairs (Doha)
Episode: How the Iran war is about to hit your wallet
Matt Binder
Tech reporter
Tech Reporter, New York City
Episode: Another Take: What did Elon Musk get from DOGE – and what’s next?
Hoda Katebi
Writer, community organizer and labor attorney
Episode: Who will answer for the Iranian schoolchildren killed in Minab?
Foad Izadi
Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Tehran
University of Tehran
Episode: Why Iranians are taking to Tehran's streets during war
Nour Odeh
Correspondent reporting from Ramallah on Israeli affairs for Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Episode: What the Iran war looks like from the occupied West Bank
Zein Basravi
Iran correspondent, Al Jazeera English
Al Jazeera English (Tehran)
Episode: Another Take: Iran, the US and the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz
Kimberly Halkett
White House correspondent
Al Jazeera English
Episode: Another Take: Iran, the US and the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz

Hosts

Malika Bilal
Award-winning journalist known for her interview-driven approach and in-depth coverage of international news.
Kevin Hirten
Host and journalist at Al Jazeera, contributing insights on various news stories with a focus on political implications.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Excellent coverage

    I enjoy the interview form and the opportunity to get insight into places that the western media rarely makes an effort to explore. Interviews are thoughtful and inquisitive, asking many of the questions I have. Some of the reviews complain about bias, but reporting the news is an ostensibly biased task. What’s more important is being factual and uncovering perspectives and stories that you would not otherwise hear, and that’s what The Take does.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OJ4573884
    United States21 days ago
  • Amazing journalism

    Great guests, intelligent, insightful and balanced questions. A great show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thanos in Soho
    United States22 days ago
  • Good but biased

    I enjoy the show, and many guests provide valuable perspectives, but you can tell which guests’ views align with the show’s preferred global narratives, and it is pretty cringy when the host fawns over the guests with preferred beliefs, asking softball questions and blindly nodding along with dubious statements.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    jfgiikk
    United States22 days ago
  • Sick of NYT and The Daily?

    AJ provides news without imperialist spin!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ramshackle Running
    United States23 days ago
  • Essential

    Now more than ever, The Take is essential reporting that I turn to daily. Deeply grateful for Al Jazeera and specifically for Malika Bilal’s journalism here: well-researched, highly-informed guests and a sensitive approach. Thank you. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CeeTea in Montreal
    Canada23 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews critical of certain perspectives suggest a diverse range of opinions among listeners, indicating strong engagement with the material.
Many find the discussions enlightening, noting the podcast's ability to provide perspective on stories often overlooked by mainstream media.
Listeners value the journalistic integrity and depth of analysis in the episodes, indicating a demand for high-quality reporting.
Listeners appreciate the diverse and informative content, highlighting its relevance in understanding complex global issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#38
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#209
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#21
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#21
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#76
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is war turning Tehran’s air into a chemical weapon?
Q: What caused the visible smoke and oily film over Tehran that morning?
Oil depots surrounding the city were struck by Israeli and American strikes, releasing toxins and burning petrochemicals that coated surfaces and created a dense, long-lasting pollution layer.
Another Take: What did Elon Musk get from DOGE – and what’s next?
Q: What are the potential long-term implications for Musk's other ventures if DOGE-related data and practices linger in public view?
The hosts and guest suggest long-term reputational and regulatory risks for Musk, including increased scrutiny of data use, privacy concerns, and potential impacts on Tesla and SpaceX as investor sentiment and public trust shift due to associations with government overreach.
Another Take: What did Elon Musk get from DOGE – and what’s next?
Q: What were the practical effects of DOGE's updates on federal programs and workers, based on what actually happened versus what was claimed?
The discussion highlights that DOGE often announced cuts that weren't real, with many changes being misrepresented or rolled back; in practice, hundreds of thousands of federal jobs were affected, but the claimed savings and scope of the cuts were frequently disputed and opaque.
Another Take: What did Elon Musk get from DOGE – and what’s next?
Q: So Matt, let's start with this resignation. A lot of people were predicting that there was gonna be some kind of dramatic blowout between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. But he just recently announced that he's gonna be stepping away from his government position. And it feels like now he's sort of more slinking away.
Matt Binder explains that Musk's departure appeared as a managed exit rather than a dramatic confrontation, suggesting that Musk anticipated stepping back as the political dynamics evolved, while the broader implications for his businesses would unfold over time.
Inside Trump’s quiet plan to ‘take’ Cuba
Q: What is the role of international aid and exiles in Cuba's current situation?
Aid convoys have arrived from multiple regions, with solar panels and medical supplies, and Cuba is inviting exiles back to invest and possibly receive compensation as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the economy and attract investment.

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 podcast presents a daily deep dive into international news through interviews with journalists and individuals directly affected by the most pressing stories. Conversations cover a wide range of topics, from ongoing conflicts and political dynamics to social movements and humanitarian crises, providing listeners with essential context to enrich their understanding of the headlines. The focus on diverse perspectives, often from underrepresented communities and global voices, creates a unique listening experience that stands out in the landscape of news podcasts. The production has received multiple awards for its journalistic quality, underscoring its value in delivering informative and thought-provoking content.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Take, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Take?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Take, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. The Listening Post
4. Al Jazeera
5. The Global Story

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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Take?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Take. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Take?

Recent guests on The Take include:

1. Abdulla Hawez
2. Ed Augustin
3. Justin Dargin
4. Matt Binder
5. Hoda Katebi
6. Foad Izadi
7. Nour Odeh
8. Zein Basravi

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days