We're with George Wardini for Episode 341 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:
https://youtu.be/sUhmyviJG7M

And like last time, we switch roles between host and guest.

We discuss the reasons both of us cover political developments in Lebanon, the art of persuasion through content creation and a wider pursuit for decency, fairness and justice.

George Wardini is a content creator.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
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Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

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@thebeirutbanyan

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Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

Ep.341 (Video): A Step Back with George Wardini

Episode 370: 'The Architect' with George Wardini, taped live at Aaliya's Books.

Click to watch video version: https://youtu.be/2BQ83aSzC7w

A conversation with digital content creator George Wardini that covers the design process behind the Instagram page PolyBlog & its opinion-based narrative born out of political activism, as well as a look at other platforms he helped produce including Wassil Sawtak, The Happy Hour Show, PolyTalks & The Square. 

The discussion includes a look at particular posts defending marginalized communities while holding October 17 politicians to account, in addition to drawing the line at ethical concerns & limits to free expression.

We also talk about the future of PolyBlog & digital content ushering in a new form of political pressure, including comments by Najat Aoun Saliba sharing her own experiences with new media before & after the 2022 parliamentary elections.

George Wardini is a digital content creator.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:
@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:
www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
5:51 The architect
13:13 Design
19:07 PolyBlog
29:11 Marginalized communities
36:52 The army
40:05 Proud Lebanon
45:48 October 17
53:41 Limited attention span
1:13:34 Q&A

Ep.370: The Architect with George Wardini

A conversation with Ramzi Abou-Ismail and George Wardini.

Looking back on their online series The Happy Hour, political pragmatism vs rigidity and puritanism, regional events and how they brush against narrower identity, national borders and their long-term viability, and where attitudes and social trends are moving.

Ramzi Abou-Ismail recently completed his PhD in political psychology. George Wardini is a political content creator and manages PolyBlog.

Find Ramzi on Instagram: [at]the.political.psychologist and follow PolyBlog [at]polyblog.lb

The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations.

Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:
@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:
www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
4:25 The Happy Hour
11:12 Pragmatism
16:26 Extremism
20:09 Hatred
29:56 Attitudes
37:53 Borders
44:10 Lebanese Forces
50:01 Hezbollah’s Endgame
1:02:10 Battle repetition
1:03:29 What next?

RAMZI ABOU-ISMAIL & GEORGE WARDINI - Double Trouble (Ep.402)

Reflecting on the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel war in southern Lebanon and its impact on daily life away from the battlefield.

Looking back on periods of relative calm vs manageable instability, the long-term political and societal impact of failed governance, false economies and tourism destinations like Batroun, and an acceptance of impunity and injustice on the port blast's upcoming anniversary.

With George Wardini - director of PolyBlog.

The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations.

Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform.

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@thebeirutbanyan

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:47 Relative normalcy
4:51 Relative anxiety
10:13 Targeted strikes
13:16 Familiar terrain
16:51 Failed state
19:42 Batroun
22:32 Static
26:37 Regime survival
31:47 The long term
34:58 Violence wins
37:13 Port blast & paralysis
39:36 Hezbollah undeterred

Summer & War (Part 2) with George Wardini (Ep.407)

Recorded Thursday, 5 December 2024. Three days before the Assad regime's fall.

An episode for Syria & Lebanon. Hosted by Ralph Baydoun (founder of Influeanswers) with George Wardini (director of PolyBlog) and Ronnie Chatah (host of The Beirut Banyan).

Ralph Baydoun leads the discussion and posits 'resistance'-focused counter narratives to neutrality and sub-state disarmament discourse. The conversation includes the potential for Israeli settlements in southern Lebanon, communities allegedly abandoned by the state, liberation as a so-called just means for continued armed struggle, the Lebanese army's limits in offensive and defensive measures, and how ideology and misinformation leads to false assumptions.

Make sure to check out and support Ralph Baydoun's Patreon channel: https://www.patreon.com/Perspectiveleb

Follow Ralph Baydoun on IG: [at]perspectiveleb and George Wardini on IG: [at]polyblog.lebanon

The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations.

Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:
@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:
www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:48 Up to the Litani
8:17 Ultranationalism
13:03 Settlement literature
17:25 Vulnerability
22:18 Dreams & religion
28:40 Constant war in Lebanon
30:02 Indefensible borders
37:13 Abandoned by the state
42:27 Sectarianism & sacrifice
51:45 The Syrian regime
53:47 Foreign involvement
1:00:21 Expansion & retreat
1:03:51 Liberation in itself
1:07:14 In the name
1:11:59 Warlike reasons to fight
1:14:45 The Lebanese army
1:16:41 A winning argument
1:21:51 Resistance

Dominant Narratives & Ideologies - hosted by Ralph Baydoun w/George Wardini & Ronnie Chatah (Ep.410)

George Wardini returns to The Beirut Banyan.

We look back to 1983 and discuss similarities in the relative calm Lebanon experienced following Israel's siege of Beirut and expulsion of Arafat from Lebanon.

We also examine post-2024 war developments and security risks related to attempts at disarmament, what the potential of a wider Arab-Israeli peace deal under the Trump administration could mean for Lebanon, the need for the government to make Lebanon's case against Iran's inclinations to hold onto Hezbollah as a proxy militia, and why caution over confrontation remains the preferred mode of governance.

George Wardini is the founder and director of PolyBlog.

The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations.

Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:
@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:
www.beirutbanyan.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:59 What changed
6:17 Caution vs Confrontation
11:37 Question of disarmament
14:50 Trump & Iran
22:15 “Peace”
28:59 Conflicting message
35:11 Measuring success
38:47 Lebanon’s case
42:27 Current govt support
47:21 Abnormal state
51:09 Network of interests
53:04 Personal evolution

GEORGE WARDINI - Measure of Success (Ep.415)

Storytelling and conversations, from Beirut and beyond. Subscribe from your preferred podcast platform. Support us through Paypal or Patreon.

New tracks tagged #George Wardini