Have you heard these UAE podcasts yet?

Relatable, trending and #SoDubai - podcasts can be your favourite companion when you're stuck in traffic that refuses to budge Relatable, trending and #SoDubai - podcasts can be your favourite companion when you're stuck in traffic that refuses to budge

With everything that's changing before we can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, storytelling is gently embracing its roots. For 100s of years, stories were passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. Vedas (Hindu text) and Illiad (Greek poetry), anyone? We've even heard our first fairy tales and got to know our childhood heroes in the voices of our loved ones.
In the digital age, audio books and podcasts are paying homage to this oral tradition even as the debate goes on about what counts as reading. Our brain can't tell the difference; it's our own preference, really. With the growing audio market - the Wall Street Journal reports that audio books are the fastest growing publishing format, and Norway has become the first country to turn off its FM radio network to be digital-only - our preference seems to be to listen. On-demand. In line with our schedules. And, why not?
Stuck in traffic on Al Khail Road again? Ignoring last week's laundry until you resort to shoving the pile away minutes before guests show up for dinner? Tired of more ads than songs on the radio? Made it to the gym, but no #inspo without the playlist? Too clueless to join the conversation? More importantly, exactly how do you include reading in your busy day? Precisely when you find yourself in these situations. Put on your earphones and catch up on all your reading. Let the stories fill up the mundane bits of your schedule.

'Serial' was a game changer in the podcasting universe

A podcast led to the reopening of a murder trial? When journalist Sarah Koenig set out to discover the truth, she took us along for the ride and how. Each week she presented a different facet of the case against Adnan Syed, who has been serving a life sentence for the past 17 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend from high school. We tuned in - we discussed public court records, school photographs, and debated endlessly about the US judicial system as well as the ethics we hold dear as a society.
Each episode has been downloaded more than three million times and the series has received much acclaim for the rigour of its journalism and presentation of multiple perspectives on the murder. Koenig also took us through the original investigation, the cultural colours, and the aftereffects on very real people associated with Syed.
Serial is indeed the embodiment of 'truth being stranger (and more captivating) than fiction'. A Peabody Award holder, this podcast holds the world record for being downloaded more than 175 million times. It captured an international audience with its long-form storytelling, which is exceptional in this era of binge watching.

These UAE podcasts have our ears and all our attention

Dukkan Show: Ever intentionally overheard a bunch of conversations at a coffee shop? 'Dukkan' translates to a small shop where friends hang out. Expect some fun Arabic slang with the podcast that prides itself in being the 'representative of third culture kids'.
Length: 1.5-3 hours

"I created the podcast to speak to an experience that many people feel - that of not belonging. The podcast speaks about the journey of third culture kids and the others, who belong nowhere and everywhere at the same time. As the Neo-Bedouin Hakawatis (storytellers) of our time, we create an oral history of all the amazing people that live and pass by this city that we call home. We are the New Tribes of Arabia."
- Omar Tom, Founder and Co-host of Dukkan Show

Kerning Cultures: Razan AlZayani and Hebah Fisher unravel stories from the Middle East. Together the podcaster duo attempts to shun generalisations and assumptions about the region. "We spend from 1-6 months working on an episode - researching characters, storylines, the sound design and production to create an immersive listening experience. Monetising a podcast has been challenging in the UAE, but podcasts are growing in popularity here as we speak and more local brands are knocking on our doors," Hebah says.
Length: 40 minutes
The Shady Shadow Show: A big name on Dubai's music scene, Shadi Megallaa brings about an interesting mélange of music genres in his podcast. There's an interesting guest on every episode.
Length: 1.5-3 hours
Tea with Culture: The next time you're making some tea, don't forget to toss in two sachets of culture. The podcast covers Dubai's buzzing art and culture scene - everything from the Dubai International Film Festival and SIKKA to Art Dubai and Dubai Design Week.
Length: 15-30 minutes
InnerFight: As an international fitness company, this blog carries an interesting variety of podcasts covering topics like intensity, breathing training, and squatting.
Length: 40-50 minutes
The Folio: A collection of podcasts on the art scene in the MENA region from our very own Alserkal Avenue. The latest episode features artist Zena El Khalil's recollection of Beirut's turbulent past.
Length: 40 minutes

Here's how to make your own podcast

While creating your own podcast seems as easy as recording your voice and uploading it, a successful podcast requires creativity and commitment. Think of a niche topic, pick an interesting podcast name, and decide on the format (solo, interview, narrative, reporting, etc.). Stick to an upload schedule and accordingly choose the length (short, if you post regularly). Great podcasts have set music for the start and end as well as tasteful cover art.
Once you have a plan, invest in a good mic - XLR is better, but USB will also do. With only your voice to connect with the audience, make sure it translates well. You can also get a pop filter so that voice clicks don't ruin the listening experience.
Get familiar with a recording and editing software such as Audacity, and make sure you save your files in MP3 format. You can choose the hosting platform that works for you. SoundCloud and Libsyn are good options. These will generate RSS feeds so you can syndicate your podcast on directories such as iTunes and Stitcher - make it easy for people to find you. Your podcast might just make the "new and noteworthy" section. You can even upload to YouTube for visibility. Make social media work for you.

"Since we record with more than two hosts, one of the key things that we do is align the tracks so that they do not overlap or cut off each other. The Expose is a 40-45 minute long podcast, however while recording we miss the mark and record for almost an hour. While editing, we make sure that the length of the podcast is the same without disrupting the fluidity of the conversation. We speak about women and minority issues across the globe, and put out podcasts based on topics that are in the forefront, but have not been adequately covered."
- Suha Sabith, Associate Producer and Editor of The Expose

Must-listen podcasts from around the globe

The podcast universe has something for everyone - literally. For honest movie reviews, give How Did This Get Made a listen. If you want the effect of documentaries in audio form - the Inquiry by BBC, and if you're looking for insights into the mind, brain and, behaviour - the Psychology Podcast is for you. For updates from the world of politics and current affairs, listen to Skylines and the News Roast. For science geeks - Science(ish) fits the bill. The latest news on entertainment is on the Storm of Spoilers. If you're seeking advice, press play to Tiny Leaps, Big Changes. For love stories, Modern Love by the New York Times is a popular choice.

Our favourite audio book apps

LibriVox: Stream or download classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Pride & Prejudice, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. You can also volunteer to edit and read your favourite stories out loud - what a way to build a readers community! Free
Audible: With about 1,80,000 audio books across languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian), this Android app allows you to bookmark and customise the playback speed. One-month free trial
OverDrive: This one's for those who own an Android device. Feast on a varied offering from more than 30,000 libraries across the globe. Make your commute interesting. Free
Audio books.com: You can choose either to buy the books or enjoy a free book every month against a monthly subscription fee. There's also a section dedicated to free reads. Free
BookMobile: This is a third-party app that allows iPhone users to import audio books from a variety of sources like iTunes and LibriVox. Free trial for 60 days

Watch a movie with your eyes closed

Living up to its tag line - "a movie in your mind", GraphicAudio is unique with its audio productions. While the usual audiobook has one narrator who reads out the story word for word, GraphicAudio has a full cast of voices you come to recognise as each artist performs the dialogues and skips over the "he said" and "she said" bits.
There's also music, sound effects, and sometimes cinematic musical scores. The titles include the Texas Ranger Series, the Stormlight Archive, and much loved stories from both the DC and Marvel universes. Think: Batman whispering directly into your ear!
letters@khaleejtimes.com 

Omar Tom, Founder and Co-Host, Dukkan Show

Suha Sabith, Associate Producer, The Expose