Iraqis Deserve an Apology | Mona Chalabi on the Seeds

In this episode of The Seeds, Mona Chalabi—Pulitzer Prize–winning data journalist and artist—joins host Alana Hadid for a warm, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about childhood, being Iraqi, how journalists manufacture consent for genocide, and data in dating. Plus Mona gets Melissa Barrera's seed!Chapters:00:00 – Intros, and Who’s More Awkward?00:22 – Skip Intro00:38 – Childhood Memories02:14 – Pulling a Seed 03:37 – Mona's Life Purpose05:08 – Going into Journalism09:14 – Being Iraqi13:11 – School Experiences and Cultural Identity26:14 – Career Choices and Disillusionment32:50 – Art, and Data Journalism34:21 – Speed Round35:30 – Unhinged Childhood Beliefs36:42 – Fascinating Statistics37:01 – Dating and Data!40:40 – Astrology vs. Data Journalism42:43 – Real Housewives Tagline44:14 – Nostalgic Arab Snacks47:53 – Animation and Representation53:51 – Pulitzer Prize Speech & Why Iraqi's Deserve and Apology01:10:42 – CreditsFollow the Show:📸 Instagram: @theseedsfm🎥 Presented by Watermelon Pictures🎙️ Produced by Dustlight ProductionsFollow Alana Hadid:IG: @lanzybearFollow Mona Chalabi:IG: @monachalabiCredits:Host – Alana HadidShowrunner & Executive Producer – Misha EucephExecutive Producers – Badie Ali, Hamza AliAssociate Producer – Munir AtallaProducer & Researcher – Sarah MoawadEditor, DP, & Sound Engineer – Mike O’BrienConsulting Director – Mahnoor EucephProduction Designer – Kendra BradaniniArt Assistant – Noor SalimDesign – Alicia TatoneComposer – Andy ClausenColorist – Chehade BoulosTech – Randy BurgessMarketing – Kristina Ferris & Daniela SapkarSpecial thanks: Lighthouse Studios, Jack Menzies, Gordy Michie, Isabella Calderon, Sammy Strittmatter, Chrissy Maron, Sara Mengesha, Edwin HenryTags:#TheSeeds #MonaChalabi #AlanaHadid #Iraq #IraqWar #Gaza #Palestine #War #Journalism #ManufacturingConsent #Dating #ArabVoices #PulitzerPrize #DataJournalism ##StorytellingPodcast #Identity #DustlightProductions #WatermelonPictures

Om Podcasten

Every story starts with a seed. Alana Hadid is on a mission to dig into the tiny, weird, wonderful moments that shape us — one silly, vulnerable and deep conversation at a time. The Seeds is where artists, activists, and icons open up like you’ve never heard them before. This season, Alana sits down with folks like Hasan Piker (political firestarter), Mona Chalabi (Pulitzer Prize winning data queen), Aja Monet (award-winning poet of your dreams), Kendrick Sampson (activist/heartthrob, Insecure & I’m A Virgo), Melissa Barrera (hello, horror icon), and Poppy Liu (actual magic, Hacks). We get into childhood memories, big feels, late-night thoughts, early crushes, politics, love, art — the real stuff. So pull up a seat. New episodes every Tuesday, starting June 4. Follow on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Watermelon Pictures. Produced by Dustlight Productions.