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Artwork for We call her Emma

We call her Emma

The Observer
Asma Al-Assad
Bashar Al-Assad
Syria
Damascus
Emma Al-Assad
Arab Spring
London
Observer
Syria Trust For Development
Orphanages

Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.

In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promi... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes7Founded25 days ago
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Artwork for We call her Emma

Latest Episodes

Eighteen months ago the Assad regime suddenly collapsed, and the first lady and her family fled to Moscow. A regime insider tells Chloe just how powerful Asma had become in the final years and what was happening inside the palace. Could Asma really h... more

Chloe learns of allegations that Asma - the ‘mother of the nation’ - had an active role in one of the regime’s cruellest strategies: separating the children of dissidents and rebel fighters from their parents to use them as bargaining chips. At an or... more

Chloe travels to Damascus to meet people close to Bashar and Asma. One source tells her that Asma took a drastic decision in the early years of the war - she tried to leave Syria. Only it’s not for the reasons you might think.

We call her Emma is a ... more

In 2011, the Arab Spring hits Syria and Asma has a decision to make: speak out in favour of the popular revolution or stay loyal to the regime. But what choice did she really have? 

We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investig... more

When Asma arrives in Syria, there’s a palpable sense of hope. People in the country and around the world dare to believe that she is a force for good. Chloe hears from people who worked with her in the early years who - despite everything that’s happ... more

Emma is a high achieving, middle class woman from West London - she’s destined for a successful career and a comfortable British life. But in 2001 she makes a decision that will come to define her - she marries the son of a dictator and becomes Asma ... more

Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the no... more

Key Facts

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

Recent Guests

Bissan Juma
Mother whose children were held in an orphanage
Survivor, interviewee
Episode: Asma’s orphanages | We call her Emma Ep5
Hind Kawabat
Former conflict-resolution educator turned minister in the new Syrian government
Syrian government
Episode: Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3
Huda Mujaki
Witness who attended an audience with Asma
Government/Palace
Episode: Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3
Ayman Abdel Nour
Former advisor to Bashar al-Assad, journalist in exile
Former regime advisor
Episode: Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3
Zaki Meshi
Syrian, living in exile, worked for the First Lady's projects early in her tenure
First Lady's projects / Syria Trust
Episode: Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2

Host

Chloe Hadjimatheou
Host of the series focusing on investigative narrative and deep-dive reporting on Syria and the Assads.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 125 ratings
  • Where has the rest gone?

    Where have the rest of the episodes gone? I listened to 5 and then couldn’t get access to ep 6. (Which previously seemed to be available). So disappointing as this was a really interesting story well told.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DaiseListener
    United Kingdom3 days ago
  • Really enjoyed this

    Really enjoyed this - a good exploration of a curious subject.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bethathome12
    United Kingdom3 days ago
  • Where’s the rest of the episodes?

    No episodes beyond episode 2?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ghostgurl212
    United Kingdom8 days ago
  • Interesting

    I dunno what the negative ratings are about, I thought this podcast was really interesting and well researched. At times it was harrowing. I marked as 4 stars as I felt most of the interviews were so heavily bias, but I guess they would be when talking about a dictator’s wife who herself was an oppressor.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Seesaw91
    United Kingdom8 days ago
  • Missing episodes?

    No episodes after episode 2

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Rvsb23
    United Kingdom10 days ago
  • Riveting

    I could not stop listening and I was devastated when it finished. The storytelling is incredible and the reporter does such a good job of sharing each victim’s experience with care.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nahgem444
    United States13 days ago
  • Extremely well done

    A journalistic feat and entertaining to boot. Recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nitacita
    Canada20 days ago

Chart Rankings

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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Asma’s deal | We call her Emma Ep4
Q: Did someone recommend you to flee to save your life and what was your response?
She indicated there were offers to leave Syria for safety, including protection for her children, but she chose to stay, suggesting a strategic calculation rather than simple fear.
Asma’s deal | We call her Emma Ep4
Q: My first question, why did you decide to disappear, why did you decide to stand by your husband and to keep silence all these years?
She framed her reason as loyalty and personal conviction, insisting she didn't chase publicity and stayed by her husband, while acknowledging the difficult position she was in.
Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2
Q: Did Asma's background in finance influence her approach to reform and the economy?
Yes, observers noted her financial expertise and international connections lent credibility to reform projects like microfinance and banking sector liberalization, even as critics questioned the sincerity and effectiveness within an authoritarian system.
Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2
Q: What did Asma hope to achieve with the Syria Trust and her public role?
She hoped to empower women and youth through NGOs and social programs, while also using her Western-trained image to push Syria toward modernization, though the limits of reform under dictatorship complicated these ambitions.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About We call her Emma

What is We call her Emma about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on high-profile power dynamics in authoritarian contexts, with a strong focus on how intimate associations with leaders can shape political, economic, and social outcomes. Across episodes, listeners hear a mix of insider testimonies, exile perspectives, investigative reporting, and archival context to scrutinize the roles and possibilities of reform, complicity, and accountability within regimes. Notable throughlines include how public personas interact with brutal realities, the mechanics of patronage and state messaging, and the elusive quest for accountability in the aftermath of upheaval. A distinctive angle is the sustained examination of close associates of powerful figures, blending personal narrative with rigorous ... more

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How many episodes of We call her Emma are there?

We call her Emma launched 25 days ago and published 7 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on We call her Emma?

Recent guests on We call her Emma include:

1. Bissan Juma
2. Hind Kawabat
3. Huda Mujaki
4. Ayman Abdel Nour
5. Zaki Meshi

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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