What happens when you look beyond the headlines? In this episode, Dalal sits down with Dr. Leila for an honest conversation about Iran, media narratives, sport, food justice, and animal welfare. Drawing on her own family's experiences, Dr. Leila shares what daily life in Iran has looked like during the Israeli–US war, the uncertainty it has created, and why it's important to recognise the diversity of Iranian society rather than the stereotypes often presented in mainstream media. She also talks about the importance of decolonising language and knowledge so people can better access authentic Iranian voices and perspectives. The conversation then turns to veganism, where Dr. Leila challenges single-issue activism and argues that food justice should come before food purity. Dalal and Dr. Leila also explore the politics of animal visibility, questioning why some forms of animal suffering receive global attention while others are overlooked, and how major sporting events like the World Cup can reveal inconsistencies in conversations about animal welfare and human rights.

This episode is captioned for Deaf and Hard of Hearing viewers here.

🌐 Website: https://drleilad.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drleilad/

The music in this episode is by Makimakkuk (Majdal Nijim), who is a Palestinian singer, rapper, producer, and DJ from Ramallah whose music blends hip hop, electronic, experimental, and Palestinian folk influences. Through her self-described ”Sovereign Hop” sound, she explores themes of identity, justice, and liberation while amplifying Palestinian stories through music.
Follow Makimakkuk here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makimakkuk/

Thank you Dr. Leila for joining us and sharing your knowledges with us.

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