The Mechanics of Influence | Ahmed Shihab-Eldin & Rahma Zein

"We are all maneuvering in life normally, but our hearts are very much broken."

Journalists Ahmed Shihab-Eldin and Rahma Zein sit down with moderator, cartoonist Khalid Albaih for an essential conversation on the weight of narrative in a time of systemic erasure. We explore the role of journalism, storytelling, and cultural expression in shaping narratives around resistance, identity, and the shared realities of Palestine and Sudan. From the front lines of global media to the personal ripple effect of a single headline, the discussion delves into the reasons we tell stories, beyond informing others, to make sense of the world for ourselves. The speakers reflect on their experiences navigating media outlets, the challenges of representation, and the ways journalism and creative work intersect with advocacy.

This episode was recorded on November 21, 2025

00:00 Introduction: Voices from the Frontlines
02:51 Navigating Life with a Broken Heart
08:22 Beyond the Bio: Redefining Identity
11:00 The Responsibility of Every Storyteller
16:33 Finding a Voice in Conflict?
18:55 The Power and Danger of Headlines
24:35 Reclaiming Narratives in the Digital Age
32:10 The Myth of Objectivity in Journalism
38:38 Channeling Collective Rage into Progress
46:17 The Weight of Systems vs. The Power of People
49:30 The True Cost of Speaking Out
01:01:53 Sudan and the Silence of Structural Erasure
 

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer and actor. He is known for award-winning documentaries and films on social justice, premiering at Cannes and other major festivals. His resume includes PBS, Al Jazeera, HuffPost Live and “VICE on HBO”. He co-created Al Jazeera English’s The Stream and published Demanding Dignity (2013). He currently hosts the podcast Out Loud, conversations with people challenging the status quo; teaches as Adjunct Professor at the University of Bari and is producing The Visitor. His work has been recognised by GQ and Forbes’ 30 Under 30.

Rahma Zein is a former Egyptian journalist with over a decade in field reporting, media strategy and public relations. She began as an investigative reporter for Egyptian TV and CBC, covering the Arab region during the 2011 political changes and interviewing key political figures. In 2023, she gained international attention for a viral confrontation with a CNN reporter at the Rafah Border Crossing, where she challenged the network’s biased reporting on Israeli war crimes. She’s currently a consultant for Tech for Palestine, an incubator for advocacy projects worldwide.

Connect with Rahma Zein 👉 https://instagram.com/zein_rahma
 

Hosted by Khalid Albaih

 

Khalid Albaih is a Romania-born, Doha-raised, Oslo-based Sudanese political cartoonist, writer and cultural producer known worldwide as Khartoon. His art and commentary have appeared at Documenta 15, Mathaf and NIROX Sculpture Park, and in The Guardian and Al Jazeera. He is the author of Khartoon! (2018); editor of Sudan Retold (2019) and Sudan Retold 1½ (2025); and creator of Foreigner Everywhere (2026). Albaih founded KhartoonMag.com and @DohaFashionFridays and was shortlisted for the Freedom of Expression Award (2025).

 

Connect with Khalid Albaih 👉 https://instagram.com/khalidalbaih

 

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