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 Intro
00:38 – Childhood Memories
02:14 – Pulling a Seed
03:37 – Mona's Life Purpose
05:08 – Going into Journalism
09:14 – Being Iraqi
13:11 – School Experiences and Cultural Identity
26:14 – Career Choices and Disillusionment
32:50 – Art, and Data Journalism
34:21 – Speed Round
35:30 – Unhinged Childhood Beliefs
36:42 – Fascinating Statistics
37:01 – Dating and Data!
40:40 – Astrology vs. Data Journalism
42:43 – Real Housewives Tagline
44:14 – Nostalgic Arab Snacks
47:53 – Animation and Representation
53:51 – Pulitzer Prize Speech & Why Iraqi's Deserve and Apology
01:10:42 – Credits

Follow the Show:
📸 Instagram: @theseedsfm
🎥 Presented by Watermelon Pictures
🎙️ Produced by Dustlight Productions

Follow Alana Hadid:
IG: @lanzybear

Follow Mona Chalabi:
IG: @monachalabi

Credits:
Host – Alana Hadid
Showrunner & Executive Producer – Misha Euceph
Executive Producers – Badie Ali, Hamza Ali
Associate Producer – Munir Atalla
Producer & Researcher – Sarah Moawad
Editor, DP, & Sound Engineer – Mike O’Brien
Consulting Director – Mahnoor Euceph
Production Designer – Kendra Bradanini
Art Assistant – Noor Salim
Design – Alicia Tatone
Composer – Andy Clausen
Colorist – Chehade Boulos
Tech – Randy Burgess
Marketing – Kristina Ferris & Daniela Sapkar
Special thanks: Lighthouse Studios, Jack Menzies, Gordy Michie, Isabella Calderon, Sammy Strittmatter, Chrissy Maron, Sara Mengesha, Edwin Henry

Tags:
#TheSeeds #MonaChalabi #AlanaHadid #Iraq #IraqWar #Gaza #Palestine #War #Journalism #ManufacturingConsent #Dating #ArabVoices #PulitzerPrize #DataJournalism ##StorytellingPodcast #Identity #DustlightProductions #WatermelonPictures

Creators and Guests

Host
Alana Hadid
Creative Director at Watermelon Pictures
Guest
Mona Chalabi
An award-winning writer and illustrator

What is The Seeds?

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.