We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

We’re Not Kidding is a show where funny people talk about serious things, hosted by Zeteo founder Mehdi Hasan and regularly featuring internationally acclaimed comedian Bassem Youssef.

Meet the Palestinian-American Influencer Exposing 'Genocidal' Israelis Online 02/20/2026

Meet the Palestinian-American Influencer Exposing 'Genocidal' Israelis Online Since Oct. 7, 22 year-old Palestinian-American influencer Hamzah Saadah has gained international notoriety for doing something that no mainstream news outlet would dare to do: asking regular Israelis what they think about Palestine. The results have been shocking, as Hamzah’s interviews with civilians and soldiers alike demonstrate a comfort and willingness to use “genocidal rhetoric” across Israeli society. Hamzah now joins Mehdi for a live taping of ‘We’re Not Kidding’ at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah to discuss his work on social media and take some questions from the audience. Before Oct. 7, Hamzah was a gaming influencer, musician, and magician (yes, you read that right) with nearly 8 million followers across social media. But once Israel’s genocide began in Gaza, Hamzah made the decision to use his massive following to expose the anti-Palestinian rhetoric of some Israeli soldiers. The two also discuss: Receiving threats for their political work. Larry Ellison and censorship on TikTok. The time the police showed up at Hamzah’s house at 3:00am. How to change the minds of audiences. How old Mehdi is, again, and again, and again. 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Recorded at The Muslim House® Produced by the MPAC® Hollywood Bureau with the support of the Doris Duke Foundation. Subscribe to Zeteo to support independent and unfiltered journalism: Watch, listen and subscribe to ‘We’re Not Kidding’ on Substack: Find Zeteo: Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_news Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonews Find Mehdi: Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasan Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasan Credits: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Hamzah Saadah Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali To advertise on the show, contact or visit /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40166185

How This Atheist Podcast Star Learned to Love Palestine, Oppose AIPAC, and Defend Muslims 02/06/2026

How This Atheist Podcast Star Learned to Love Palestine, Oppose AIPAC, and Defend Muslims As one of the co-hosts of the massively popular podcast ‘’, Jennifer Welch has made a name for herself as a sharp-witted, foul-mouthed, uncomfortable-truth-bomb-dropping political commentator. Whether you’ve seen social media clips of her ranting about Donald Trump’s poorly applied makeup or watched her eviscerate Sen. Cory Booker on AIPAC during their viral interview, Jennifer is shaking up the way liberal media thinks about political punditry. Now, she joins Mehdi on ‘We’re Not Kidding’ to talk about her political journey and rise to fame. Once an “MSNBC liberal” from the Bible Belt, Mehdi and Jennifer discuss her evolution on issues like corporate influence on the Democratic party and Israel-Palestine. They also get into the recent dump of Epstein files, including Elon Musk’s “pathetic” attempt to get an invite to Epstein’s island on Christmas, and how Joe Biden and the Democrats once again fumbled the ball. “Merrick Garland had these files for four f*****g years and didn't do anything with it!” Jennifer says. The two also discuss: - How atheism influences Jennifer’s politics (and religion influences Mehdi’s!). - Why Trump appeals to evangelical Christians. - Scott Jennings, Jesse Watters, and why Republican men are “submissive.” - Whether Epstein was a Mossad spy. - Which national Democrats should be “remodeled” and which should “retire.” Subscribe to Zeteo to support independent and unfiltered journalism: Watch, listen and subscribe to ‘We’re Not Kidding’ on Substack: Find Zeteo: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: Find Mehdi: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: Find Jennifer: ‘I’ve Had It’: Instagram: Credits: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Jennifer Welch Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40043810

Will They Denaturalize Us? - Former ‘Daily Show’ Comedian Aasif Mandvi on Trump, ICE, Gaza, and Being an Immigrant 01/30/2026

‘They Make Genocide Jokes’ - Israeli Comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi on Racism, Zionism, and Palestinian Liberation 12/09/2025

‘Jewish and Muslim Safety Are Intertwined’ - Comedian Ilana Glazer on Mamdani’s Victory and the Weaponization of Antisemitism 11/07/2025

‘Jewish and Muslim Safety Are Intertwined’ - Comedian Ilana Glazer on Mamdani’s Victory and the Weaponization of Antisemitism On the day after Zohran Mamdani’s historic election win, what better ‘We’re Not Kidding’ guest could we ask for than New York City icon Ilana Glazer? The Jewish-American comedian, activist, and ‘Broad City’ creator joined Mehdi in midtown Manhattan to talk about what Mamdani’s victory means for the future of US politics. The two also discuss the recent failures of the Democratic party and whether Mamdani’s win has the power to finally push party leadership to embrace its populist flank. “Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries were not there celebrating last night,” Ilana says. “A Democratic mayor won. They should be there celebrating.” They also talk about someone else who was definitely not celebrating on election night — Debra Messing and her very public Instagram crash out. Ilana opens up to Mehdi about her feelings around the modern Jewish identity, particularly since Oct. 7. The two also discuss the weaponization of antisemitism by figures like Jonathan Greenblatt (who has already announced the Anti-Defamation League’s ‘Mamdani Monitor’ to purportedly “keep Jewish New Yorkers safe”), while simultaneously ignoring the dangers of right-wing antisemitism espoused by people like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson. Finally, Mehdi asks Ilana about speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the risks of receiving backlash or being censored. Subscribe to Zeteo to support independent and unfiltered journalism: Watch, listen and subscribe to ‘We’re Not Kidding’ on Substack: Find Zeteo: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: Find Mehdi: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: Credits: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Ilana Glazer Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40043820

‘Succession’ Star on Gaza, Iran, and the 10 Rich People Who ‘Run Everything’ 10/14/2025

‘Succession’ Star on Gaza, Iran, and the 10 Rich People Who ‘Run Everything’ If you were a fan of the HBO series ‘Succession’ — then do we have a treat for you. On this new episode of ‘We’re Not Kidding’, Mehdi is joined by Iranian-American actor Arian Moayed who played the scene-stealing character Stewy Hosseini on the hit HBO show. Mehdi and Arian unpack the ways our reality mirrors the fictional world of ‘Succession’, like how pro-Israel billionaire Larry Ellison, the world’s second richest man, is buying up media companies Paramount, CBS News, and TikTok. Mehdi also challenges Arian to a new rapid-fire question game called, “Real Billionaire or ‘Succession’ Character?” As two naturalized US citizens, Mehdi and Arian discuss the recent military-style ICE raids in Arian’s hometown of Chicago and the fears that many immigrant communities are feeling in the Trump era. Mehdi and Arian also get into the recent political history of Iran, including the 1979 revolution which led to Arian’s family immigrating to the US when he was a child. Arian, an outspoken critic of the Iranian government, explains the importance of Iranian representation and self-determination and offers his own analogy for why Western governments should stay out of Iran’s affairs. Finally, the two discuss the two-year anniversary of Oct. 7 and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. As Arian was one of the earliest signatories on the Artists 4 Ceasefire letter in October of 2023, Mehdi asks if he feared retribution from Hollywood and the entertainment industry for being pro-Palestine. SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: FIND ZETEO: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND MEHDI: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND ARIAN: Instagram: Waterwell: CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Arian Moayed Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40043825

‘Israel’s Sugar Daddy’ – Mehdi and Bassem on Trump, Kimmel, Mamdani, and Two Years of Genocide 09/30/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Israel is ‘Gaslighting’ Us, Says ‘Andor’ Star After Trip to Occupied West Bank 09/22/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Israel is ‘Gaslighting’ Us, Says ‘Andor’ Star After Trip to Occupied West Bank SPOILER ALERT: This episode includes plot details for the TV series ‘Andor’. On this week’s ‘We’re Not Kidding’, Mehdi once again gets to do his two favorite things: have a substantive conversation about politics and fanboy on nerd culture. That’s because this week’s guest is award-winning Irish actor Denise Gough, who came to prominence on the ‘Star Wars’ TV series ‘Andor’ playing an intelligence officer in service of the fascistic Empire. But in real life Denise’s politics are deeply anti-imperial as an outspoken advocate for Palestine and the people of Gaza. Mehdi speaks with Denise about her breakout role on ‘Andor’ playing “one of the most compelling fascists [he’s] ever seen on screen,” and unpack the parallels between ‘Andor’ and the rise of fascism across the West right now. But unlike ‘Star Wars’, the “good guys” in many historical conflicts are often vilified by those in power. “It's very impressive when the good guys are doing it,” Mehdi says. “ But who defines who the good guys and the bad guys are?” The two then discuss Denise’s advocacy work and the historical connection between Ireland and Palestine. “[Ireland] lived under occupation for hundreds of years,” Denise says. She goes on to recount her recent trip to the occupied West Bank and witnessing Israel’s apartheid firsthand. “I've seen things that are undeniable,” a visibly emotional Denise says. From the military checkpoints and fences in Hebron, to Palestinian homes barred in steel to protect against settler attacks, to handmade jewelry carved from Israeli military tear gas canisters. “There isn't a person in the world that would be able to convince me what is happening there is a democracy.” SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: FIND ZETEO: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND MEHDI: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND DENISE: Instagram: CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Denise Gough Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali Special thanks: Khaleel Rahman /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40043830

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Ruffalo Says ‘Boycott, Divest, Sanction, and Prosecute’ Israel 09/15/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Ruffalo Says ‘Boycott, Divest, Sanction, and Prosecute’ Israel On this week’s ‘We’re Not Kidding’ Mehdi sits down with an actual superhero. No, not the Incredible Hulk from Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ — he’s a pretend super hero. The real-life superhero we’re referring to this week is the award-winning Hollywood actor and activist Mark Ruffalo. For over two decades, Mark has been one of the most politically courageous actors in Hollywood, having spoken out against the fracking industry, US imperialism, Donald Trump, and the genocide in Gaza. The two talk about Mark’s political evolution, from being raised in a household with three different religions to getting involved in the anti-war movement during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. When discussing Trump’s second term and rising fascism here in the US, Mark doesn’t mince words when it comes to the tepid opposition from Democratic party leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Mark says, before also launching into a scathing critique of the notoriously pro-Israel House Democrat Ritchie Torres. Finally, Mehdi asks Mark about his years-long advocacy for Palestine and the elaborate “propaganda machine” deployed by Israel and its allies, as Mark is no stranger to being attacked for his pro-Palestine views. Now almost two years into Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Mark gets deeply emotional when discussing the human cost of the conflict. SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: FIND ZETEO: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND MEHDI: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Mark Ruffalo Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali Special Thanks: Khaleel Rahman /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/40043835

'I Don't Give a Sh*t What DJ Khaled Thinks' - Anees on Political Music, Cancel Culture, and Zohran Mamdani 08/18/2025

‘Put a Trump Tower in Iran’ - Maz Jobrani on Middle East Wars and the US Immigrant Experience 07/14/2025

Unpacking the ‘Insane’ Premise of Zionism, with Mehdi and Alana Hadid 06/24/2025

‘The Immigrant Dilemma’ - Yasmin Elhady on Muslim Matchmaking, Comedy, and Looking Different 06/11/2025

‘Sane Fascists or Insane Fascists?’ - Molly Jong-Fast on the President’s Mental Health Issues 05/15/2025

The ‘Bullsh*t’ of Bill Maher — Gianmarco Soresi on Israel, Antisemitism, and ‘Anti-Woke’ Comedy 04/25/2025

‘ICE is a Terrorist Agency’ - Cynthia Nixon on Deportation Raids, Gaza Attacks, and Trump’s War on Higher Education 04/09/2025

United States of ‘Hypocrisy’ – Bassem and Mehdi on College Students, Free Speech, and Gaza 03/28/2025

‘Ethno-Nationalist, Hard-Right Whackjobs’ - Nish Kumar on Fascism, Starmer, and Being Both Brown and English 03/17/2025

Politics, Sport, and Free Speech Hypocrisy, with Jemele Hill 02/27/2025

Is Trump 'Daddy'? – with Bassem Youssef 02/07/2025

Taking On the Tech Oligarchs, with Taylor Lorenz 01/24/2025

"Holy Sh*t, We're Being Lied To": Huda Kattan, CEO of Huda Beauty, Speaks Out 12/20/2024

The One Where Hasan Minhaj Meets Mehdi Hasan 11/25/2024

Democrats Need To Get A Spine - Amanda Seales & Francesca Fiorentini on Harris’ Loss, Joe Rogan, and Trump 2.0 11/14/2024

‘Election Anxiety’ and Fears of a ‘Civil War’, with Nick Offerman 11/01/2024

‘Election Anxiety’ and Fears of a ‘Civil War’, with Nick Offerman It’s less than a week until the 2024 US presidential election and who better to discuss the government with than ‘Parks and Rec’ star and comedian Nick Offerman. The last time Mehdi spoke with Nick about current events was back in May 2021, right before Nick was to testify before Congress about the Covid-19 vaccine. More recently, Nick released a couple of to encourage Americans to vote for Kamala Harris and defeat Donald Trump (hopefully) forever. Mehdi and Nick rant about the Donald Trump x Elon Musk teamup and the influence of corporate money on our media and politics. "The corporate interests that generally own the mainstream media so that no matter what messaging you get, it's never the fully straight dope,” Nick tells Mehdi. “You can count the politicians in Congress who aren't taking corporate money on two fingers.” Mehdi asks Nick about his recent role playing the president of the United States in Alex Garland’s hit film ‘Civil War’ and what Americans can learn from the cautionary tale about the waning days of a civil war fought on US soil. When discussing Trump, Nick humorously describes in graphic detail what he imagines the former president does on his golden toilet. They finish the conversation discussing the strengths and flaws of the Harris campaign, including her stance on Gaza and US arms sales to Israel. SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: FIND ZETEO: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND MEHDI: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: FIND NICK: Twitter: Instagram: CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Nick Offerman Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali /episode/index/show/e1ec75e0-4b01-45cc-be65-e6360fd2cd25/id/39825650

Bassem Youssef, Unlike You’ve Ever Seen Him, on Hope, Despair, and A Year of Genocide 10/24/2024

A Palestinian and a Jew Walk Into a Podcast - Sammy Obeid & Matt Lieb Reflect on the Oct. 7 Anniversary 10/10/2024

Make Nando’s, Not War - with Nish Kumar 09/26/2024

"We've Hit a Tipping Point" - Riz Ahmed on Protest, Joy, and the Power of Story 09/12/2024

‘We’re Not Kidding’ LIVE! - Alana Hadid & Mehdi on Palestine and the Fight for Liberation 07/23/2024

We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

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