In a digital space shaped increasingly by fast content and surface-level narratives, a new Ibiza-based podcast takes a different approach. Her Side of the Stories, founded by storyteller and creative director Asal Zara, launches on 7 April 2026 with a clear intention: to create space for women to speak openly, and to be heard on their own terms.
Filmed in a forest at the heart of the island, the podcast positions Ibiza not as a backdrop, but as an active setting that encourages reflection and presence. Conversations unfold at a deliberate pace, allowing each voice to develop without interruption or pressure. The result blends intimate dialogue with considered visuals, cinematic sound design and a steady, intentional rhythm.
Each episode explores themes rooted in lived experience, including emotional well-being, resilience, identity and transformation. Rather than leaning into spectacle or trend-driven formats, the series focuses on genuine emotional intelligence and depth. Stories are approached with care, and complexity remains intact.
Asal’s guests reflect a wide spectrum of voices. Internationally recognised figures, including Regan Hillyer, NERVO, Dawn Hindle, Anouk Matton and Jessica-Jane Stafford, who appear alongside women whose stories have never been shared publicly. These quieter voices sit equally within the series, contributing perspectives shaped by personal experience rather than public profile.
The project draws closely on the background of its founder. Born in Tehran and raised in the Netherlands, Asal’s upbringing spans cultures, combining Persian emotional awareness with Dutch directness. This duality informs her approach to storytelling, alongside a longstanding interest in human behaviour and psychology.
Her creative path began early, working across writing, photography and directing before launching an online art and culture magazine at nineteen. In the years that followed, she travelled solo through more than forty countries, living with local communities and documenting personal narratives. That period of exploration served to deepen her focus on resilience, identity and the internal forces that shape experience.
Asal has been based in Ibiza for the past eight years, where she lives with her partner and two children. Her work centres on values of authenticity, compassion and self-determination - principles that underpin the structure and tone of the podcast.
The first season will release weekly episodes throughout the year, totalling 52 instalments alongside additional specials. Contributors will include voices from across creative, professional and personal spheres, such as psychologist and author Kelly Weekers and business leader Victoria Price.
By bringing together public figures and private individuals within the same framework, Her Side of the Stories aims to present a broader, more nuanced reflection of womanhood. In doing so, it offers a format where conversation takes precedence over performance, and where listening carries equal weight to speaking.
Her Side of the Stories launches on 7 April 2026 and will be released weekly. Episodes are available on YouTube, where audiences can watch and subscribe for free, with updates shared on Instagram . A big box of tissues is advised...
