PODCAST · news
Gino's Podcast
by Gino Raidy
Created from ginosblog.com (since 2010) ginoraidy.substack.com
Episodes
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Breaking the 7arboo2 Spell and Capitalist Realism
I’ve been in the United States for almost six years now. I’ve spent most of it in New York City and Washington, DC. Living here after growing up witnessing the slow-motion collapse of Lebanon, gave me a very specific kind of peripheral vision. I see the gears of the system grinding everywhere…
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When Hezbollah tells you who they are, believe them the millionth time
Hezbollah has shown us exactly who it is, over and over again. While Lebanese homes lie in ruins and lives are lost, the militia rushes to defend Iran’s regime, kill Iranian protesters, and drag Lebanon into wars it never chose. This is not resistance. It is foreign domination, and it is long…
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Pope Leo XIV Calls For Disarming During Lebanon Visit & Hezbollah’s Crisis of Legitimacy
Papal visits to Lebanon have always been moments when the country pauses (briefly) to look at itself through an external moral lens. In a region where political positions are often treated as existential identities, the Pope’s presence carries symbolic weight. It forces competing factions to...
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Hezbollah’s Horrifying Demand: Your Fear and Your Empathy
There is an ugly little theatre trick Hezbollah has been playing for years. Act one, they make sure the audience is petrified. Act two, when their stunt collapses, they step forward with a wet hand to the chest and expect applause. The trick relies on two things. First, the party’s monopoly of...
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Inside NYC’s Transition: Dean Fuleihan on Hope, Immigrants & Affordability
When I sat down with Dean Fuleihan, the Lebanese American public servant whom Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani has chosen as his first Deputy Mayor, the conversation immediately felt personal. The first thing he did was thank me for pronouncing his last name the way it is said in Lebanon. He smiled and...
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If We Burn, Then What?
I was asked recently what my politics are, and it unexpectedly made me pause. Like many of you, I assume my beliefs, hopes, and dreams are second nature. No need to restate them. No need to explain. It is obvious to my community what my politics are, right? But if I am honest, the journey that...
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What We Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani's Historic Victory With Russ Finkelstein
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I had landed in New York City’s JFK just a few months before, after being forced to leave Lebanon after four illegal detentions, multiple assaults in the streets of Beirut and two outstanding military court summons. Israeli settlers were stealing...
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A Conversation with Beirut Madinati's Kristy Asseily & Marc Tueni
This is my endorsement for the Beirut Madinati coalition running in the 2025 Beirut Municipality elections this Sunday, May 18. Let me take you back to 2016. That was long before the Thawra and probably the first time many of you heard of me or the work I do. It was during the garbage crisis…
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Why Lebanese Bankerjiyyeh Went All-In on the Soros Stuff & Failed
The saddest thing about the failed smear campaign against change MPs and independent media outlets like Megaphone and Daraj is how lazy it was. For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around why the elites who enriched themselves before the Thawra chose to just copy-paste a...
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What the Banking Secrecy Law Amendment Victory Means & What's Next with Dr. Mohamad Farida
I will be diving deeper into the smear campaigns and why they failed so spectacularly on Monday’s episode! In the meantime, Dr Mohamad Farida, from the Depositors Union, took a break from advocating for the amendment in ongoing parliamentary sessions, to give us all an update. Get full access to...
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Time to Legalize Cannabis in Lebanon
This has been my longest running topic on this blog. The OG readers will remember. I started in 2011, and a lot of us feel it is gonna happen, it’s just a matter of time. We’ve done the hard part. The taboo is gone. Public opinion has shifted. Cannabis is no longer a dirty word in Lebanon — it’s…
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From Bashir to Hariri to Nasrallah: The Leaders Who Broke Lebanon
Lebanon’s greatest weakness has always been our attachment to problematic leaders who promise much but deliver chaos, sectarian division, and stagnation. These leaders—each idolized by some but despised by many—reflect our vulnerability to charismatic figures who exploit our fears and…
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A Conversation with Makram Rabah
A conversation with Makram Rabah, Assistant Professor of History at the American University of Beirut. In this episode, I sit down with historian and AUB professor Makram Rabah to discuss the slow, generational change unfolding in Lebanon. We break down the myths of instant transformation, the…
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Hezbollah’s Vote of Confidence & What It Means
Sometimes, it feels like nothing happens for a very long time. But Lebanon is not in one of those times. Right now, events are unfolding so quickly, and the sheer volume of noise from all sides them makes it easy to miss the massive shift in the balance of power that’s taking place beneath the...
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Lebanon’s Deadlock Doctrine
Power in Lebanon isn’t about track records, courageous leadership, or bold vision. It’s about leverage—the ability to obstruct, disrupt, or threaten effectively. If you can halt parliamentary sessions, shut down the airport, or flood the streets with armed supporters, you hold power. This…
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A Funeral, A Flyover, and a Shift in Power: Hezbollah's Fork in the Road
Let’s start with the obvious: a lot of people attended Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral, nearly five months after he was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike on Dahieh. But the funeral was more than just a farewell—it was also an opportunity for a badly battered Hezbollah to demonstrate that it still...
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"Ma T3isha"
Maybe you’re not exactly like me, but when I fall in love with something, I tend to get a little obsessed. Whether it’s a book, a movie, a series, a music genre, or a niche area of expertise, I want to know everything—the lore, the culture, the creators, the nuances—and figure out if and how it...
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Checkmating the Bully: Lebanon’s Reckoning with Hezbollah’s Bluff
One of the most memorable books I read last year was Barbara F. Walter’s How Civil Wars Start. She identifies eight key factors that often trigger civil conflicts. Lately, I’ve noticed many of these factors surfacing in Lebanon—especially in the aftermath of Hezbollah’s humiliating defeat in its...
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Nawaf Salam's First Interview as Prime Minister of Lebanon + Clips
You can watch the full 90+ minute interview above. I also cut a few clips that resonated with me the most—whether it’s his immediate promise to do everything possible to regain the trust of young Lebanese, most of whom want to leave Lebanon if they haven’t already (or were forced to leave, like...
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Lebanon's New Government: A Deep Dive
Mabrook! I want to start today’s article and episode by thanking everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past six weeks to achieve what many Lebanese thought was impossible: a president, a prime minister, and a cabinet made up—mostly—of the right men and women, in the right positions, at the...
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The Backroom Deals Behind Lebanon’s Cabinet Formation
I had to jump on here and share some insights about the cabinet formation, as many of you seem to be buying into the widespread campaigns from nearly every side against Nawaf Salam—the easiest target for the mafia and militia omertà in power. What’s Happening Behind the Scenes Negotiations.…
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3 Tips for Nawaf Salam: A Clean Judge in a Dirty Political Arena
What a wild three weeks—it’s been nonstop, and not just for Lebanon. My take on the cabinet formation hasn’t changed, but there’s a clear disconnect between Nawaf Salam’s approach and the expectations of many who backed his appointment as a step toward real change. In this Monday’s episode, I’ll...
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Beyond Hezbollah: The Need for Broader Accountability in Lebanese Politics
I’m a staunch critic of Hezbollah—one of the many reasons I was forced out of Lebanon. In the lead-up to Joseph Aoun’s election as president and Nawaf Salam’s appointment as prime minister, I resumed my activism and campaigning at full force. Both were my top picks, and I’m extremely happy about...
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Nawaf Salam: Steadfast in the Face of Hezbollah’s Faltering Attacks
Thanks for reading Gino's Blog! This post is public so feel free to share it. It’s been a tumultuous week for Lebanon. As Israel claimed the lives of 22 Lebanese civilians returning to their towns, areas previously under occupation were liberated with the support of the Lebanese Army. Notably...
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Hezbollah's Forgotten Propaganda FPS Video Game [Video Episode 001]
“It was 2018 in Beirut. The October 17, 2019, uprising was still months away. The Ponzi scheme that would steal our money from the Central Bank—masterminded by Riad Salameh and benefiting the corrupt political elite—hadn’t imploded yet. COVID hadn’t struck. The war in Syria seemed to have…
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Customs, Cash, and Control: Hezbollah’s Hold on Lebanon’s Finances
What’s the deal with the Finance Ministry? The Ministry of Finance in Lebanon has become a powerful tool for advancing Hezbollah’s interests, shaping its ability to sustain its influence and control over the country’s systems. This ministry oversees critical financial operations, including…
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What's Happening with the Lebanese Cabinet Formation
Let me keep this short, but I can’t stay silent on this. The usual suspects are at it again—ganging up to strong-arm Nawaf Salam and Joseph Aoun into caving to their demands. Why? So they can cash in some favors and avoid getting wiped out in the upcoming elections. Let’s dive in. Gino's Blog is…
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Nawaf Salam: From 1987 to Today – A Reflection
A few private or throw-away accounts kept commenting conspiracy theories about Nawaf Salam on my posts on Instagram, I reckon they’re rumors spread by people who stand to lose illegitimate privilege in case he succeeds in the transformation of Lebanon, post-Assad and post-Nasrallah. So I thought,...
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Judicial Reform Could Jumpstart Joseph Aoun's Presidency, Here's How
On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of joining Lil Watan on MTV Lebanon via live video call with Joe Maalouf and his guest, Makram Rabah. Both are good friends of mine, and I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Joe on numerous investigations and battles over the years. After a long…
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The 72 Hours That Got Nawaf Salam to the Grand Serail
Thanks for reading Gino's Blog! This post is public so feel free to share it. My therapist once told me, “You’re like a whistleblower—you know something for certain and try your best to tell everyone, but most people think you’re insane and ignore it. That only frustrates you more, especially…
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WE WON BOTH!
I’d like to start by congratulating both Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam. It feels surreal to say this, but the two candidates I wholeheartedly supported are now our president and prime minister. I won’t waste time dwelling on the naysayers, the intimidators, or those who resorted to threats and…
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Nawaf Salam Can Become our Next Prime Minister, Here's How
Who is Nawaf Salam? Nawaf Salam is a Lebanese diplomat, jurist, and scholar who has built an impressive career blending international law, diplomacy, and a commitment to reform. Currently serving as a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) since 2018, Salam is one of the rare figures...
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The Presidency Isn't Enough - Gino's Podcast 001
This is a follow-up to my piece The Presidency Isn't Enough. Don’t forget to subscribe! Gino's Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Gino's Blog at ginoraidy.substack.com/subscribe
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Created from ginosblog.com (since 2010)
ginoraidy.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Gino Raidy
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Gino's Podcast have?
Gino's Podcast currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Gino's Podcast about?
Created from ginosblog.com (since 2010) ginoraidy.substack.com
How often does Gino's Podcast release new episodes?
Gino's Podcast has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Gino's Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Gino's Podcast?
Gino's Podcast is created and hosted by Gino Raidy.
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