Why Morocco is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Mandy Sinclair in conversation with inspiring creatives and personalities who share her love of the North African kingdom of Morocco. Prepare to be inspired and motivated and perhaps left with a desire to visit the place we call home.
Chris discusses life as an American Fulbright grantee living in Morocco.
Welcome to the Smoking & The Earth Is Flat & Morocco podcast, where amazing things happen.
A weekly podcast featuring short interviews with Peace Corps volunteers serving in Morocco. This is an informal and unofficial way to get to know our fellow PCVs better, to hear us share our stories, and to give us an additional opportunity to connect with one another through our service. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Moroccan Government.
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco bonus – Author Adrienne Chinn on creative writing and the energy of Marrakech
30:08
30:08
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
30:08
After several months off from podcasting from Morocco, I’m back with a bonus episode of Why Morocco. I’m chatting with my friend and author Adrienne Chinn about her two books The Lost Letter from Morocco, set in Morocco and The English Wife, set in Newfoundland, Canada. Adrienne began developing her latest historical fiction novel The English Wife …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 033 – Life coach Ray Beach on Drift and Design
38:09
38:09
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
38:09
For final episode of Why Morocco’s second season, I chatted with one of the people I’m checking in with weekly and that person is my life coach, Ray Beach from Drift and Design. I credit her and our weekly coaching sessions for helping me to live my best life in Marrakech, Morocco. Ray and I have been working together for over a year during which t…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 032 – Amino Belyamani on Moroccan Tapes
27:39
27:39
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
27:39
For this week’s episode I chatted with MoroccanTapes.com founder Amino Belyamani. Amino, who grew up in Casablanca and now lives in Brooklyn, created the site that brings Moroccan tapes of various musical genres, which are typically only available for purchase in Morocco and in regions where the musicians hail, to the world. With music in his blood…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 031 – Touria El Glaoui on the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
32:00
32:00
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
32:00
With the third edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair kicking off on 20 February 2020 in Marrakech, I chatted with fair founder Touria el Glaoui by telephone in the lead up to the event. The fair is designed to provide exposure to artists from the 54 countries that make up the continent. Touria talked about the changing landscape and dia…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 030 – Lonely Planet travel writer Helen Ranger on Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains
28:48
28:48
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
28:48
For the thirtieth episode of Why Morocco, I reached Lonely Planet travel writer Helen Ranger by telephone from my studio in Marrakech. Helen is a friend and colleague, concierge, a fellow Morocco lover albeit one who prefers to call Fez home, and has recently submitted a chapter about Morocco’s rural Middle Atlas Mountain region for the forthcoming…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 029 – Meryam Demnati on Amazigh culture in Morocco
25:06
25:06
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
25:06
With a new year and a new decade upon us, I sat down with Meryam Demnati, an Amazigh activitist, to chat about a little-known New Year celebrated in here in Morocco – Yennayer – the Amazigh New Year for the latest episode of Why Morocco. Celebrated on 12 January by the native peoples of North Africa, Yennayer marks the shift from extreme cold and m…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 028 – Aziza Chaouni on architectural restoration projects in Morocco
35:55
35:55
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
35:55
For this week’s episode,I chatted with architect Aziza Chaouni in her Toronto office by telephone. I first learned about Aziza and her work when she was featured in Brownbook magazine, a publication I used to write for. I knew immediately that I needed to meet her given that we have swapped home countries. Aziza lives between Toronto, Canada where …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 027 – Documentary filmmaker Nadir Bouhmouch on filming a protest in Morocco
36:23
36:23
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
36:23
For this week’s episode I met with Nadir Bouhmouch, the filmmaker behind the documentary Amussu. In the film, Nadir takes a collaborative approach to telling the story of the villagers of Imidir peacefully protesting against Africa’s largest silver mine, located in the region, that led to water scarcity in their oasis and their right to land. Beaut…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 026 – Imad Dahmani on modernist architecture in Casablanca
36:14
36:14
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
36:14
For this week’s episode I met with architect Imad Dahmani in Casablanca for an architecture tour of some of the modernist buildings throughout the city. Imad works in Casablanca and also the president of the MAMMA Group, an organization that aims to protect modern architecture in Morocco. You may remember that I interviewed Lahbib El Moumni, also f…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 025 – Justina Tulloch on living, visiting and doing business in Casablanca
43:06
43:06
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
43:06
For this week’s episode I travelled to Casablanca to meet Justina Tulloch, the Aussie and one half of the duo behind Bondi Coffee Kitchen. A little known secret – I was terrified of Casablanca for years, but when this restaurant opened in 2015 I knew I needed not only a flat white, but to give the city a second chance. So I finally did in 2016 and …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 024 – Shiraz Ksaiba on leaving London and pursuing a creative life in Taghazout Morocco
33:30
33:30
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
33:30
This week I’ve stepped out of the studio and sat oceanside with Shiraz Ksaiba, a London girl and creative I met while working together on the launch of her yoga retreat centre Tamazirt by Amayour near Taghazout in Morocco. Shiraz and I share a similar journey in how we ended up in Morocco. We both came out on solo holidays before eventually returni…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 023 – Abderrazak Houdzi on learning a craft in Marrakech
28:03
28:03
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
28:03
This week I’m joined by Abderrazak Houdzi, owner of Ateliers D’Ailleurs, a company that encourages its clientele to roll up their sleeves and learn a Moroccan craft or trade in Marrakech. Through the workshops Ateliers D’Ailleurs organizes, I’ve had the chance to make a pair of traditional Moroccan slippers, piece together a mosaic tile and hammer …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 022 – Aida Alami on reporting from Morocco
27:31
27:31
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
27:31
This week I’m joined by Aida Alami, a journalist and contributor to the book Our Women on the Ground, Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World. Aida returned home to Morocco after completing her journalism studies in the United States and contributes to The New York Times, Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera. While she also works abroad, here in Morocco…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 021 – Richard Hamilton on writing Tangier: From the Romans to the Rolling Stones
1:05:34
1:05:34
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
1:05:34
I’m back after a summer podcasting break and reached Richard Hamilton, author of Tangier: From the Romans to the Rolling Stones, by telephone to chat about his latest book. Richard worked as a North African correspondent for the BBC World Service and lived in Morocco for a year while covering the region. He had the opportunity to travel to Tangier …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 020 – Rose Button on experiencing the holy town of Moulay Idriss, Morocco
44:30
44:30
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
44:30
On this week’s episode of Why Morocco, Rose Button, the first female, non-Muslim guesthouse owner in the holy town of Moulay Idriss near Fez, Morocco, sat down with me during her Ramadan stay to chat about visiting this often over-looked hillside village. We also talked about her guest house Dar Zerhoune, her initiative to help the donkeys, and slo…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 019 – Cris Martinus from Sun Trails on summer holidays in Morocco
31:29
31:29
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
31:29
Cris Martinus from boutique travel agency Sun Trails Morocco is back to chat planning a summer vacation in Morocco. Many travellers think it’s too hot to travel to Morocco in the summer, but Cris provides endless ideas that provide travellers with the opportunity to comfortably enjoy the best of Morocco, while experiencing the local culture as well…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 018 – Alice Morrison on trekking along the Draa River
33:09
33:09
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
33:09
Alice Morrison describes herself as an adventurer and she has just completed an 81-day trek along the Draa River in Morocco’s south. Palm groves, adobe houses, and kasbahs that dot the landscape, and of course the flowing Draa River make this region one of my favourite region of Morocco. Accompanied by a team of local guides, Alice witnessed the ef…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 017 – On visiting Morocco during Ramadan
21:43
21:43
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
21:43
As we’re gearing up for Ramadan, I sat down with Assim, one of my valued Tasting Marrakech guides, to chat about travelling to Morocco during Ramadan. Many people tell me that they put off their trip if it coincides with the holy month, or that they cancelled it because they heard it wasn’t a good time to visit. But in fact, in my opinion, there si…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 016 – Fulbright Scholar David Packer on Moroccan ceramics
26:03
26:03
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
26:03
On this week’s episode of Why Morocco, my friend and fellow art-deco architecture lover David Packer stopped by in between the opening of his show at Anima Gardens and sending his book off to print. David is a trained ceramicist who came to Morocco in 2011 on a Fulbright Scholarship to study the regional ceramics. He has since documented his findin…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 015 – Artist Christo on his Femmes exhibition at the Yves Saint Laurent museum in Marrakech
13:15
13:15
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
13:15
On this week’s episode of Why Morocco, I had an opportunity to interview artist Christo during the opening of his exhibition Femmes at the Yves Saint Laurent museum in Marrakech. During the press preview I was able to visit the exhibition and admire the Wedding Dress sculpture which, given the exhibition space, was a very fitting choice given its r…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 014 – Author Saeida Rouass on historical fiction and her Moroccan-British heritage
37:41
37:41
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
37:41
On this week’s episode of Why Morocco, British-Moroccan author Saeida Rouass stopped by the studio following her TEDx Marrakech talk to chat writing her first book Assembly of the Dead, a historical fiction set in Marrakech in 1906, and what the Marrakech medina may have looked like compared to today. We also talked about the soon-to-be-released se…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 013 – Storyteller Sarah Kchirid on the tradition and how it helped her understand her culture
41:26
41:26
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
41:26
On this week’s episode Sarah Kchirid stopped by the studio to chat about the tradition of storytelling in Morocco. Sarah’s first memories of the tradition started with hearing tales throughout her childhood in Abu Dhabi when her grandmother came to visit from Morocco. Having returned to Morocco eight years ago, the stories helped her to understand …
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 012 – Pop artist and photographer Hassan Hajjaj on his art and identity
22:44
22:44
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
22:44
On this week’s episode I met with pop artist Hassan Hajjaj at one of my favourite art galleries in Marrakech where he was preparing an installation in advance of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair kicking off this week. Hassan’s the photographer beyond the pop culture images of Madonna released last year following her 60th birthday celebrations…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 011 – Michelle Fletcher on slow travel and building a sand castle in the Sahara Desert
1:02:58
1:02:58
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
1:02:58
On this week’s episode I traveled to the Sahara Desert to visit fellow Canadian Michelle Fletcher and her partner Kamal Yassine at their sand castle – Kasbah Ait Isfoul – on the edge of Erg Chegaga, a rather untouched area of the Sahara Desert. Michelle and Kamal have spent the last year and a half restoring and renovating a kasbah originally built…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 010 – Cassie Karinsky on opening a restaurant in Marrakech
34:03
34:03
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
34:03
On this episode of Why Morocco I’m chatting with Cassie Karinsky, co-owner of +61, Marrakech’s own Australian restaurant. Cassie’s an entrepreneur and has owned a few business here in Marrakech and just seems to have a go-get-it attitude – something I admire about her. She’s grateful and appreciative. She is inspired. And inspiring. And she loves t…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 009 – Dana Elemara on entrepreneurship and argan oil
32:33
32:33
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
32:33
On this episode I’m chatting with my dear friend Dana Elemara, the owner of Arganic, 100% pure organic argan oil from Morocco. Dana’s passionate about what she does and I think that really comes across in the conversation we recorded back in the autumn when she came out to Marrakech for a visit. And of course, she brought me a bottle of Arganic cos…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 008 – Lauren Keith on Lonely Planet’s Morocco pick for 2019
25:25
25:25
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
25:25
For the eighth episode of Why Morocco, I reached Lonely Planet’s Destination Editor for the Middle East & North Africa Lauren Keith by telephone from my studio in Marrakech. Lauren’s a former colleague and sometimes editor (did I mention I freelance write and have bylines in Lonely Planet?). For this episode, I was keen to catch up with Lauren as t…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 007 – Lahbib El Moumni on brutalist architecture in Morocco
37:31
37:31
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
37:31
For the seventh episode of Why Morocco, I reached Casablanca-based architect Lahbib El Moumni by telephone from my studio in Marrakech. I met Lahbib through CasaMemoire, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and safe-guarding 20th century architecture in Casablanca, when I was writing about the need for architectural conservation in Casabl…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 006 – Hendrik Beikirch on Tracing Morocco
24:30
24:30
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
24:30
For the sixth episode of Why Morocco, I headed out to the Montresso* Foundation to meet with artist Hendrik Beikirch, the artist behind the Tracing Morocco project and the upcoming Siberia exhibition opening on 5 November at the art foundation near Marrakech. His book featuring the images and stories of tradesmen and craftspeople in Morocco sits pr…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 005 – A step inside the musée Yves Saint Laurent marrakech
53:42
53:42
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
53:42
For the fifth episode of Why Morocco, I stepped out of the studio and into the musée Yves Saint Laurent marrakech where I met with Mme Christine Alaoui, mother of the late photographer Leila Alaoui whose photographs are currently on display as part of The Moroccans exhibition. I met with scenographer Christophe Martin and exhibition curator Guillau…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 004 – El Fenn’s Willem Smit on design in Marrakech
39:03
39:03
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
39:03
For the fourth episode of Why Morocco, my friend Willem Smit and I sat on the sofa of my apartment mansion and chatted about some of our favourite things – good design, good books, Marrakech and architecture. Willem is the managing director of El Fenn and also has the fabulous Villa Mabrouka near Essaouira you’ll want to book if you’re a fan of hol…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 003 – Nargisse Benkabbou on preparing Moroccan cuisine
34:12
34:12
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
34:12
For the third episode of Why Morocco, I reached blogger, chef and cookbook author Nargisse Benkabbou by phone at her home in London in advance of her Casablanca: My Moroccan Food cookbook launch in North America. We chatted cooking and the importance of spices, tradition when it comes to food and mealtimes in Morocco, and our favourite dishes. Orde…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 002 – Sophia Bentaher and Annabel Atger on when to quit
28:08
28:08
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
28:08
What happens when you have a fabulous idea and come to Morocco hot off a research trip around Europe ready to set up shop? On the second episode of Why Morocco I’m chatting with Sophia Bentaher and Annabel Atger about their plans to open a social café in Marrakech, what happens when things don’t go as intended, and how we define success. Because qu…
W
Why Morocco

1
Why Morocco 001 – Cris Martinus from SunTrails Morocco on trip planning
24:55
24:55
「あとで再生する」
「あとで再生する」
リスト
気に入り
気に入った
24:55
For the first episode of Why Morocco, I’m sitting down with Cris Martinus from SunTrails Morocco, a boutique travel agency based in Marrakech. We’re discussing trip planning in Morocco and the must-sees for various interests. To support Why Morocco, please consider buying me a coffee nouss nouss. For more Morocco ideas and advise, follow host Mandy…
You know me as a member of the multi-media committee and a collector and sharer of movies, but do you know about my nomadic cinema in Papua New Guinea or what media project I'm excited to work on next? Check out this week's interview to get to know me, your host Mathew, a little better. Enjoy!
You know her as a member of the SPSN committee and someone with great classroom management skills, but do you know about her work in a preschool before Peace Corps or what movie from her childhood she loves to recommend? Check out this week's interview to get to know Maria a little better. Enjoy!
You know her as a fantastic Darija speaker and someone who loves dancing, but do you know about her Cajun heritage or who she looks up to the most in Peace Corps? Check out this week's interview to get to know Katie a little better. Enjoy!
You know him as an avid book reader and someone with a great sense of humor, but do you know what his first experience was with Peace Corps or what advice he has for his younger brother and fellow PCVs? Check out this week's interview to get to know Collins a little better. Enjoy!
You know her as an adventurous mountain climber and a master chef with a serious passion for cooking, but do you know what she focused on in her master's program or what she plans to do after Peace Corps? Check out this week's interview to get to know Paw a little better. Enjoy!
You know him as one of the more mysterious members of our staj and someone who worked for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before coming to Morocco, but do you know his favorite book recommendation or how he came to apply for the Peace Corps? Check out this week's interview to get to know Karl a little better. Enjoy!…
You know her as a down home midwestern gal from Missouri and a big fan of Little House on the Prairie, but do you know her favorite country music bands or what her plans are in the event of the collapse of civilization? Check out this week's interview to get to know Caitlyn a little better. Enjoy!
You know him as a University of Michigan alumnus and someone very interested in business, technology, and development, but do you know who all he looks up to in our staj or what types of books he likes to recommend? Enjoy!
You know her as an avid cross stitcher and someone very interested in international development, but do you know which military school she once considered attending or what blogs and podcasts she recommends you check out? Check out this week's interview to get to know Kate a little better. Enjoy!
You know him as an all-around great guy and can spot his mighty beard from a block away, but do you know his favorite charity or his advice for folks who are unsure what they want to do in the future? Check out this week's interview to get to know Kevin a little better. Enjoy!
You know her as a member of the GAD committee and have seen her handle challenging discussions during hubs with poise, but do you know the phrase she uses to describe her experience growing up in the USA or what her favorite YouTube video is to share? Check out this week's interview to get to know Heyab-Mariam a little better. Enjoy!…
You know him as a one of the many Matts in our staj and have heard him share stories about living in China and Russia, but do you know what his favorite podcasts are or what small town he grew up in? Check out this week's interview to get to know Matt a little better. Enjoy!
You know her as a member of the multi-media committee and have seen her vlog series on Youtube, but do you know what her master’s degree is in or what book she loves to recommend? Check out this week's interview to get to know Shay a little better. Enjoy!
You know him as a huge fan of Shawn Michaels the Heartbreak Kid and have heard his stories about the carnival, but do you know his favorite movie to recommend or who he looks up to in Peace Corps? Check out this week's interview to get to know Senju a little better. Enjoy!
You've heard her clever jokes and know her as one of the few PCVs without a Facebook page, but do you know her favorite stories about her sister or how much her and Caitlyn are BFFs? Check out this week's interview to get to know Hannah a little better. Enjoy!