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GRAIN OF SALT
An Arabic-language podcast by Dorith Kool
It’s easy to underestimate the power of a simple chat over coffee. Yet, just like a grain of salt enhances the flavour of a dish, day-to-day conversations add richness to our perspective on the people, cultures and world around us.
It’s the casual encounters that let us uncover what makes us human — our stories, our beliefs, our quirks — enabling us to connect with others and to broaden our horizons. Bridging divides is not about grand gestures or world-changing speeches. It’s about the subtle shifts that happen when we truly listen to each other and open up ourselves to new perspectives.
The GRAIN OF SALT Podcast explores different cultures and mindscapes across the EWANA region and the ways in which they intertwine with and relate to each other. It is hosted by Dorith Kool as part of her personal mission to spread cross-cultural awareness and understanding within and across the EWANA region. As a non-native Arabic speaker herself, Dorith has learned the immense power of language and conversation in breaking down barriers and bridging divides.
About the host: Dorith Kool
With a strong interest in culture and its impact on the emergence, development, prevention and resolution of conflict, Dorith has gained several years of professional experience in the field of security, defence and military strategy in practice, policy, and research. She has also worked as an Arabic translator and has hosted and moderated several events, podcasts and lectures for civilian and military audiences. Dorith holds masters’ degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Military Strategic Studies. She is also the founder, director and host of the Grain and Salt podcast, set forth in the realm of the EWANA Center.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 10 | Artistic Identity in a Global City: Exploring life of an artist in Paris with Bisan Sharif
A conversation with Bisan Sharif on artistic identity and the influence of Paris’ vibrant and historic cultural scene on both her identity and work. We explore the evolution of her artistic voice over the years and the influence of her emotional and mental state on her experience of Paris. Bisan shares her perspective on the challenges of being an outsider in a city with such a vivid cultural identity, and the importance of separating one’s personal identity from art while maintaining the authenticity of both.
In light of various political developments of global reach in the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, please note that this episode was recorded on September 17, 2024.
Bissan Alsharif is a multimedia artist of Palestinian origin living and working in Paris. She studied architecture at the University of Damascus and specialized in scenography at the School of Architecture of Nantes, France in 2006. During her career, she has worked as a scenographer, costume designer, and videographer for several theatrical productions, including While I Waited (Avignon, 2017), The Factory (Theater Volksbühne, 2018), Temporary People (NYU Abu Dhabi, 2022), Woman at Point Zero (Royal Opera House, 2023), and Yesterday’s Encounter (Theater Freiburg, 2024). In addition to her work in theater, Bissan works on her own multimedia art projects. Her project “Memory of Women” was awarded the French “Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters” in 2015. Her latest project, “Pianola,” was part of the group exhibition “Disintegration” at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, 2024. The play “Dressing Room” is her first project as a theatre director.
Visit Bisan´s website here:
https://www.bissanealcharif.com/language/en/
Episode 09 | Food, Culture, and Connection: Bridging Boundaries with Shayma Elkazem
In this episode, we sit down with Shayma Elkazem, a passionate content creator who uses food as a means to connect cultures and share stories. We explore the profound relationship between food and cultural identity and how recipes can serve as a mirror to tradition and heritage. Shayma shares her journey of creating Middle Eastern recipes and reflects on how cooking and storytelling come together and deepened her connection to her cultural roots. Looking ahead, Shayma offers insights on the future of food as a tool for cultural exchange encouraging others to use food to celebrate and share their heritage.
Shayma Al-Kazem, born in Alexandria, Egypt, is a researcher in peace and war studies in Egypt and Germany. She graduated from the Faculty of Media in Cairo, then moved to Germany to complete her master’s degree in politics and international media. Shayma is interested in human rights, especially women’s issues, and is a member of the Association Frauen für den Nahen Osten (translated to ‘Women in the Middle East’) in Erfurt. Shayma has a great passion for cooking, especially Middle Eastern cuisine, which she clearly shows on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, in both Arabic and German. and TikTok, in Arabic and German. Through her short videos, Shayma seeks to build cultural bridges between East and West, while highlighting the beauty of the diversity and cultural richness of Arab cuisine.
Episode 08 | Empowering Migrants: Kudwa's Vision for Inclusive Societies with Razan Ismael
A conversation with Razan Ismael about her organisation Kudwa. We talk about Kudwa’s vision for a future where migrants are leaders in shaping democratic, inclusive societies, and the principles driving their work: innovative narratives, intersectional equality, and meaningful youth engagement. Razan shares her personal journey from Syria to Europe, reflecting on the power of storytelling in bridging cultural divides, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and promoting empathy between migrants and host communities.
Razan Ismail is a seasoned Migration Policy Consultant and Community Engagement Specialist with a proven track record in advancing inclusion and gender equality. As a member of the European Commission Expert Group on Migration, the UNHCR Spain Reference Group on Migrant Views, and the Consultative Forum with the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Razan contributes expert insights to shape impactful policies. With over a decade of lived experience as a migrant in Europe, She brings a unique intercultural perspective to her work, excelling in policy advising, project management, and advocacy. She specializes in areas such as migrant women’s labor market inclusion, community building, and migrant participation, and is highly skilled in delivering public speaking engagements and creating transformative learning experiences. As the founder of Asociación Kudwa, she is committed to fostering the meaningful participation of migrants and refugees in decision-making processes and promoting inclusive societies.
Episode 08 | Empowering Migrants: Kudwa's Vision for Inclusive Societies with Razan Ismael
A conversation with Razan Ismael about her organisation Kudwa. We talk about Kudwa’s vision for a future where migrants are leaders in shaping democratic, inclusive societies, and the principles driving their work: innovative narratives, intersectional equality, and meaningful youth engagement. Razan shares her personal journey from Syria to Europe, reflecting on the power of storytelling in bridging cultural divides, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and promoting empathy between migrants and host communities.
Razan Ismail is a seasoned Migration Policy Consultant and Community Engagement Specialist with a proven track record in advancing inclusion and gender equality. As a member of the European Commission Expert Group on Migration, the UNHCR Spain Reference Group on Migrant Views, and the Consultative Forum with the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Razan contributes expert insights to shape impactful policies. With over a decade of lived experience as a migrant in Europe, She brings a unique intercultural perspective to her work, excelling in policy advising, project management, and advocacy. She specializes in areas such as migrant women’s labor market inclusion, community building, and migrant participation, and is highly skilled in delivering public speaking engagements and creating transformative learning experiences. As the founder of Asociación Kudwa, she is committed to fostering the meaningful participation of migrants and refugees in decision-making processes and promoting inclusive societies.
Episode 07 | The Oud and power of music as a universal language with Saad Mahmoud Jawwad
A conversation with Saad Mahmoud Jawwad on his journey as an oud player from Baghdad. We explore the rich history of the oud (one of the oldest instruments) in Iraqi culture, Saad’s blend of ancient and modern musical styles, and the universal language of music that transcends boundaries. Saad also shares his experience using music as a tool for protest and social change; including his efforts to empower women through music, and reflects on his evolving identity as a musician.
Saad Mahmoud Jawad, born in Iraq in 1973, is a renowned oud player and teacher. He graduated with honors from the Institute of Musical Studies in 1997 and studied under Iraq’s top oud masters. Saad has taught at leading institutions in Iraq and Bahrain and founded several musical initiatives, including the Saad Mahmoud Jawad Oud Center in Bahrain. In 2018, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous oud performance. A recipient of multiple awards, including the title of Knight of the Oud, Saad has performed at international music festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He has lived in Bahrain since 2001.
Episode 06 | The challenges of studying culture and the role of researchers with Harold Viersen
A conversation with Harald Viersen on the role and importance of researchers in studying, understanding and bringing cultures together. We discuss Harold’s experience in conducting research on Arab philosophers and the challenges related to a researcher’s position as an ‘outsider’. We also explore the importance of embracing openness towards different perspectives and criticism.
Harald Viersen is assistant professor, Islam, Politics and Society, at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He obtained his doctorate in Marburg, Germany, with a thesis entitled “Historical Heritage: Authenticity and Temporality in Contemporary Arab Thought,” and his thesis will be published in the year 2024. He specialises in Islamic philosophy, Arab-Islamic intellectual history, and modern Arab concepts.
Episode 05 | Language: its importance, power and complexity with Othman Moosa Alsaadi
A conversation with Othman Moosa Alsaadi on the mystery, power and complexity of language. We discuss the role of language in shaping culture and the challenges of bridging linguistic divides. We also challenge conventional thinking by exploring theoretical ideas such as the benefits and challenges of having a universal language.
Othman Al-Saadi from the Sultanate of Oman currently works as the Director of Educational Programs at the Sultan Qaboos Institute for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers. He holds a Master’s degree in Arabic Language and is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He has several publications, including a book entitled “Ibn Arabi’s Book When Love is Confused”, and has published peer-reviewed research on the strategy of teaching conversation skills, a research published in the Journal of Knowledge in Indonesia, a research on the experience of the Al-Khalil platform in distance learning, challenges and solutions, and a research on investment in the Arabic language, both published in the Journal of Economics and Humanities in Australia. He also worked as an editor for a poetry magazine and wrote a column in it entitled “National Shoes”. He has published 6 poetry collections.
Episode 04 | Humanitarian translation: exploring its importance and challenges with Thalia Rahma
A conversation with Thalia Rahma on the altruistic provision of language services referred to ‘humanitarian translation’ or ‘social translation,’ and its crucial role in helping and bringing together people and communities. We discuss the influence of culture on shaping and re-shaping language and the challenges it presents for translation. Thalia also shares her personal experience in working in this field in the context of crises and conflict and her future ambitions.
Thalia Rahma is originally from Lebanon and is a Communication and Grants management freelancer. She is involved in media development and digital rights and has a keen interest in socio-linguistics and the urban world. She speaks English and Arabic and is now learning Turkish, Persian and Korean. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology and a master’s in Information and Communication.
Episode 03 | Artificial Intelligence: exploring its impact on culture with Mohammed Babiker
A conversation with Mohammed Babiker on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on culture, exploring ways it can provide a tool for developing cultural connections, preserving cultural heritage, and expanding cultural diversity. In this conversation; we address both the potential and limitations of AI, highlight the need for more specialised and culturally sensitive models, and stress on the importance of continued human face-to-face interaction.
Muhammad Babiker, who is of Sudanese origin, specialises in data analysis and is a blogger and former comedian. He grew up in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia and currently resides in Prague, Czechia. In his free time he likes participating in debates, an activity that he has done during his university years. In Muhammad’s opinion, debates are one of the best ways to explore science and challenge personal ideas. His favourite topics to discuss are religion, culture, and the impact of technology on both.
Mohammed was also a guest in our Maqha Conversation on AI and cultural diversity. You can find a report of that Maqha discussion here.
Episode 02 | Tunisian and Belgian culture and the fluidity of identity with Ines Sousou
A conversation with Ines Sousou on her experience as a Tunisian woman born and raised in Belgium. We discuss the differences and similarities between the Tunisian and Belgian cultures and the interaction between them in her daily life. Ines shares her perspective on the fluidity of identity, the desire for a sense of belonging and her journey to developing her place amidst two cultures.
Ines graduated in Japanology and later pursued a master’s degree in Arabic Studies and Islamic Studies, specialising in the politics of the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as a master’s degree in Theology and World Religions. Ines currently works as a university lecturer and teaches courses related to Arabic and the MENA region. She is also an interpreter with a focus on North African and Middle Eastern contexts.
Episode 01 | Yemen: tribes, tribalism and formal state institutions with Walid Al-Aghbari
A conversation with Walid Al-Aghbari on the relationship between tribes, tribalism and formal state institutions in Yemen, focusing on the period between 1978 and 2011 during the rule of president Saleh. We explore the dynamic and complexity of this relationship and the ways in which it can be harmonious and conflictual, challenging the prejudices of “backwardness” and “primitivism” associated with tribalism.
Walid, who is a Yemeni national, is the EWANA Center’s deputy director and Student Life Coordinator at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Since 2009, Waleed has taken on different roles at the AUC. Walid earned a BA degree in International Relations and Political Economy, and received a MA degree in Comparative Middle East Politics and Societies from AUC Summer 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, he ventured into a different experience in the field of development and took on a short-term role in the EU-sponsored EL-HIWAR II project on Euro-Arab relations in both capacities as a participant and junior consultant.
Opening episode | The EWANA Center: tracing the beginnings and peeking into the future with Desirée Custers
A conversation between Desiree Custers and Dorith Kool on culture, the Arabic language and their shared mission to cultivate and strengthen cross-cultural exchange and understanding between and within Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. We explore the EWANA Center, its background, mission and activities, introducing for the first time the Grain of Salt Podcast.
Desirée is co-founder and the executive director of the EWANA Center for Cultural Understanding. She is passionate about cultural topics and human relations. Among others, she translated Arabic literature to Dutch, writes about social, cultural, and political issues on her Arabic-English blog (issabramil), and works in the field of dialogue and mediation.