Now You Know

Sean Combs, iconic rapper and music mogul, is behind bars awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied all the charges, but this story has people talking about hip-hop's #metoo moment.

This week on Now You Know, we talk to an industry writer, producer, editor about the hip-hop scene and question whether it has a history of silence around abuse. Will Combs' c...

At 31, Jill Damatac made the decision to self-deport from the United States, ending 22 years of life as an undocumented migrant. Her journey began at age nine, when her family left the Philippines for the US in search of a better life. But instead of opportunity, they encountered instability, xenophobia, and an immigration system Jill describes as broken.

In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Jill Damatac about what it means...

Every ten minutes, a woman or girl is killed by someone she knows, according to the UN. Femicide is a global issue that we can’t afford to ignore. So what’s really behind it? And more importantly, how can it be stopped?

Now You Know talks to María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, the director of a citizen watch group in Mexico. She shares powerful stories of femicide in her country. We also hear from Mariam Kha...

South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. While factors like the economy, government policies, and culture play a role, these challenges exist globally. So what makes South Korea so unique?

Now You Know talks to Anna Kook, an AJ+ reporter who covers South Korean society and news. She explains why people in South Korea are not having enough babies.

In this episode:

Anna Kook, (X / IG), AJ+ Reporter 

Episode credits:

T...

When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad’s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars – both physical and emotional – remain. How did they survive the unimaginable?

On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years...

Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza, shattering the ceasefire with Hamas. Hundreds of people were killed in the first week of renewed attacks and Palestinians have once again been given evacuation orders. As destruction mounts the hope of rebuilding Gaza is fading fast. 

This week on Now You Know, we talk to Ms. Paula Gaviria, UN Special Rapporteur for the human rights of internally displaced people. We talk about the chall...

In India, a woman or girl is raped every 16 minutes, according to India's National Crime Records Bureau. “To Kill a Tiger”  tells the powerful story of a 13-year-old survivor and her father’s fight to get justice for his daughter – a fight that ultimately led to the three accused being sentenced to 25 years in prison each. 

On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we speak to director Nisha Pa...

Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American-Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. This achievement holds immense significance, especially given the ongoing controversy surrounding the hijab in sports. 

This week on Now You Know, we chat with Ibtihaj about staying true to her identity, pushing back against discrimination, and competing at the highest level. 

In this episode:

Palestinians who emerge from Israeli prisons often speak of the physical abuse, solitary confinement and terrible living conditions that they’ve endured. But is it even tougher for women?

Now You Know talks to Hadeel Shatara, a former Palestinian prisoner. She was released during the first wave of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Hadeel shares her story and what female prisoners endure behind bars.

In this episode:

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An unlikely group of fighters is on the frontline of Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. They’re called the Witches of Bucha – a group of volunteers, many of them suburban mothers, defending Ukrainian skies from drones. Their training is tough, and the stakes are high. For some, it’s a way to channel their rage. For others, it’s nerve-wracking but necessary work.

This week on Now You Know, we spe...

Megan Garcia says her teenage son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide after developing a harmful attachment to an AI companion chatbot. She has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, accusing the company of negligence. 

In this episode of Now You Know, Megan looks back on some of the warning signs other parents might find useful as they navigate this digital age. We also speak to one of her lawyers, Meetali Jain, about this uni...

How can African art be reclaimed and re-defined so that African voices are amplified? Like in many other fields, people from the continent have been overlooked or underrepresented in the art world. So how can that change? 

In this episode of Now You Know, we chat with Adora Mba from ADA Contemporary Art Gallery in Ghana. She tells us about her mission to showcase emerging African artists and reshape Western perceptions of Afri...

Diana Buttu is a Palestinian international human rights lawyer who’s previously been involved in negotiations with Israelis. Often the only woman at the negotiating table, Diana brings a unique perspective to the complex dialogue surrounding peace.

In this episode of Now You Know, she shares her experiences navigating the challenges of high-stakes discussions and offers a firsthand account of life in the occupied West...

On January 19, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect. But Gaza lies in ruins with at least 46,000 Palestinians killed, and two-thirds of all buildings now damaged or destroyed.

In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Gaza-based Communications Specialist for UNICEF, Rosalia Bollen, about what a ceasefire means for Palestinians in Gaza right now, especially for the children, and what’s ahead on the path to ...

Online dating is one of the surest and quickest ways to meet someone. The possibilities of finding what you’re looking for are as wide as the internet search. Sometimes you find who you want, but for more and more women, swiping left has exposed them to untold dangers. Increasingly, online dating has become a space where women are being exposed to sexual violence and abuse.

This week on Now You Know ...

After going undiagnosed for years, Ayah Jaghoub discovered she had two autoimmune diseases and thyroid cancer. She speaks to Samantha about her journey, and the years of neglect she says she experienced by the medical industry. We also talk to an endocrinology consultant to better understand thyroid issues.

On this episode of Now You Know, we want to know why it can take so long to get a diagnosis, and how thyroid canc...

Today, we bring you on the Now You Know feed True Crime Reports, a new global crime show from Al Jazeera Podcasts. Crime stories from the global south and beyond that often haven’t reached the outside world. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe.

Thabo Bester: Prison Break

Thabo Bester is South Africa’s most notorious con man. In 2012, he was locked away for life for mur...

In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, a 100-mile race that snakes through Frozen Head State Park in the state of Tennessee. The runners have 60 hours to finish the course and Paris completed it with only seconds to spare. 

On this week’s Now You Know, we speak to Paris about what it takes, physically and mentally, to be the only woman to have completed t...

Hey, Samantha here. Now You Know is on a winter break. But please come back and listen on January the 6th, because I'll be talking to ultra runner, Jasmine Paris. She became the first woman to ever finish the Barkley Marathons. If you've never heard of the race, trust me, that's a triumph. Jasmine also has some great advice on how you can achieve what you want in 2025. See you soon!

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