Like *Kiffe ta race*, it aims to give a voice to these communities by “telling the stories of the Maghrebi, Afro-descendant, and Asian diasporas in France through the lens of intersectionality.” From personal accounts to discussions, including interviews with researchers, the podcast aims to spark a debate on “deconstruction.”
In this first episode of the series “They Launched Their Media Outlet in 2021,” Médianes spoke with Anas Daif, a young journalist who graduated from the École Supérieure de Journalisme de Lille in 2021. He launched his podcast *À l’intersection* “on a whim.” For now, he doesn’t make a living from his media project; he’s learning and experimenting as the episodes unfold, while his audience is taking shape and growing.
You kicked off your podcast with an episode that’s kind of like an editorial. What was the context behind launching *À l’intersection*?
Anas Daif: When I recorded Episode Zero, I had a sense of urgency and felt a need to act. I felt that I could no longer stay silent and that I had to hand the microphone over to the people involved. I didn’t think right away about the format I wanted; I didn’t have a strategy, and I didn’t know how it would turn out. Eventually, it took off, and I started to build a community.
How exactly do you bring this community together?
With my Instagram account, I focus on generating buzz and going viral. I’m thinking of the incident that took place in Villeneuve-la-Garenne in 2020 (on April 18, 2020, a motorcyclist was struck by the door of a police car—editor’s note). I talked about it, and people started reacting, which gave me a great way to introduce my podcast. In *À l’intersection*, I talk about minorities and the challenges I’ve faced or that others have faced; I aim to create an open space for discussion and debate. My podcast often lasts more than an hour. My goal is to engage in a process of deconstruction. Thanks to social media, word of mouth, and—above all—the topics I cover, the listener community is growing with each episode.
When you took the plunge on a whim, what were your initial fears?
The podcast is evolving along with me as a journalist. My fears were that the quality would be subpar, that I wouldn’t be up to the task—especially since I’m a perfectionist. But I feel like there’s really a turning point right now: the number of listens has doubled in four months. I’m also looking to diversify. I took part in the Les Chichas festival in October, where I recorded Episode 10 live with Kiddy Smile and Noam Denuit. I was finally able to put faces to my listeners and chat with them in person, rather than just on Instagram. It’s so nice. But I’d like to be more consistent because making a podcast takes time.
What advice would you give to people who want to start a podcast?
Talk to professionals—people who know what they’re doing. Let them listen to your work, and ask for advice. You have to reach out to people—they’re open to it, and contrary to what you might think, they’re happy to help you.
To go further
How to Make a Podcast: Tips from A to Z by Sarah-Lou Lepers.
Monetizing Your Podcast: A Lecture Given at Médias en Seine.
Podcast Overview: (Another) Lecture Presented by Médias en Seine.
