Almudena Ariza, born in Madrid in 1963, has devoted her life to journalism since she was a teenager, covering the world’s most intense conflicts, tragedies, and pivotal moments. His long career spans years of frontline reporting, shaping a view of the world from the streets where news happens. The piece opens with a reflection on a veteran correspondent who remains focused on stories that matter, rather than checking a resume. After three years reporting from different global hubs, he continues to seek new journeys and perspectives. This week, on Wednesday, the program premieres at 23:35, inviting viewers to watch a television series that explores what it means to be Spaniards abroad. The show gathers nearly 70 Spaniards around the world to reveal the less flattering sides of the countries they inhabit, offering a counterbalance to the usual narratives about success and adaptation. The aim is to illuminate complex realities through intimate conversations with those who live them, a familiar voice explaining the why behind the facts.
Question: Is conflict something to avoid, or something to confront? Answer: The intent here is different. It is about seeking to understand rather than simply reporting on friction. The series uses the experiences of Spaniards abroad to empathize with their challenges and to present a more nuanced picture. It is designed to be engaging, informative, and educational, because the underlying conflicts are not distant; they affect everyone in subtle, interconnected ways. For instance, the deforestation of the Amazon, a factor that influences global oxygen production, is explored through the eyes of someone living it. It is a reminder that perspectives matter when interpreting global events.
“The first knowledge people give up is the international one, so we thought of bringing it closer.”
Question: How were these nearly 70 characters chosen? Answer: The selection focused on individuals who shared inspiring stories or endured difficult lives and could communicate their experiences vividly. The cast already reveals a spectrum of stories, including a chapter on South Korea, which grapples with one of the highest suicide rates driven by societal pressures for perfection. Spaniards living there describe these pressures with candor. The program also addresses inequalities in South Africa, the plastic pollution in the Philippines, violence in Mexico, and homophobia in Poland, presenting a mosaic of global issues through personal narratives.
Question: Will any familiar faces be involved? Answer: The project includes a broad mix of voices. In the opening episode, attention shifts to the weapon debate within the European Economic Area. The reporters highlight the jarring normalization of violence and the belief among some communities that more guns equate to greater safety. The discussion stretches to a Canary Islander and a Texan couple who are teaching their daughters to shoot, exposing the cultural echoes and tensions that come with American gun culture. When asked how a hypothetical extreme argument would unfold if everyone carried a weapon, the response is chilling, underscoring how ordinary life could pivot on a single act of violence.
Question: Do Spaniards abroad ever question why they experience conflicts that aren’t their own? Answer: The interviews strive for a wide mix of long-term residents who are deeply integrated, though some express a plan to leave when possible. The aim is to present a spectrum of attitudes and choices, not a single homogenous perspective. When it comes to delving into individual stories, the emphasis is on listening. The interviewer wants more time to understand, because genuine reporting requires contact, travel, and immersion in the country being covered. The most challenging moment often arrives when there is a sudden deadline and a need to move on.
Question: Is it hard to switch off after returning from a field assignment? Answer: Yes, the emotional residue lingers. The journalist spends days, even weeks, processing the people and the stories. The experience leaves a lasting imprint, and conversations with colleagues who shared the journey become essential. There are keys and memories that only those who stood beside you can truly understand. Others may ask questions, but the speaker often feels overwhelmed by the mix of pain and resilience, especially in tales of solidarity and everyday heroism from ordinary people. Ukrainian grandparents choosing to stay and preserve dignity stand out as examples of courage.
Question: Are there important lessons to carry forward? Answer: The takeaway is humility. Returning from such assignments prompts a reevaluation of what matters, with a renewed appreciation for the daily realities that shape people’s lives. Every day gains importance, and there is a greater respect for journalists who report from the ground. The street becomes a classroom, offering lessons that no newsroom can replicate. The work feels personal, almost like a small, persistent voice in a cage, insisting on truth-telling even when the world seems deaf to it.
“You come back with so much humility and relativize everything that happens to you, however pretentious it may seem.”
Question: What conclusions emerge after reporting from places that illuminate the world? Answer: The vast gap in understanding others becomes clear. A trip to Asia, with time spent in China, illustrates how much there is to absorb beyond theoretical knowledge. Geography, anthropology, and culture converge, challenging assumptions about familiar places like the United States. The Trump era arrives amid ongoing turmoil—mass shootings, natural disasters, and relentless news cycles. Covering a hurricane, the journalist witnesses the rush of people toward safety while the moment’s horror unfolds around them.
Question: Has there ever been a moment when the work felt finished? Answer: The closest memory is Northern Iraq, where journalists stood at the front lines with Kurdish forces, and beyond them were the recognizable shadows of conflict. There were moments to pause, to say, wow, this is real life in its starkest form.
Question: Do debates about journalism still carry weight amid widespread distrust? Answer: Yes, suspicion persists. The Ukraine assignment brought the Bucha tragedy into sharp relief, with the Russian Army implicated in serious crimes. Even after the fact, some claimed the reporting was fabricated. In this climate, the conviction remains firm: if a journalist errs, accountability begins with the reporter. Yet skepticism persists, fueled by political agendas that try to tarnish the credibility of journalism itself.
“There have always been people who distrust journalism. Even more so now that politics is interested in misinformation about us.”
Question: Is there a sense that memory fades after disasters? Answer: In many places, recovery continues long after the headlines move on. Japan and the United States rebuilt quickly, yet some nations, like Haiti, still wrestle with the aftermath a year later. The pace and quality of recovery depend on resources and dedicated support from the international community.
Question: Twenty years ago, did a nomadic life threaten family life for a woman leading such work? Answer: The journalist maintains a loving family, including two children and a partner. Societal expectations often press women to sacrifice family life, but choosing not to do so is a conscious decision. A different path would have meant bitterness; instead, a balance is forged, proving that personal fulfillment and professional commitment can coexist.
Question: Is journalism still a street-level vocation, or has it moved entirely to studios and newsrooms? Answer: The commitment to reporting from the ground remains strong. The outside world provides the raw material, and the street gives the energy. The journalist feels most alive when embedded in the field, even if it means spending long hours in a temporary workspace that resembles a small, symbolic cage.
“The street gives me everything. I die in the newsroom. I’m like a little bird in a cage.”
Question: What role does artificial intelligence play in journalism? Answer: It is welcomed as a useful tool, not a threat. Embracing technology can aid storytelling and research, but it cannot replace the essential human elements of curiosity and empathy. The stance is practical: adopt AI thoughtfully, learn how to use it, and integrate it to enhance understanding rather than replacing the core craft.
Question: When retirement comes, what then for a life spent traveling the world? Answer: If time makes movement difficult, the journalist will keep creating podcasts and staying connected. New channels for storytelling open up, ensuring that curiosity about the world continues to find a voice even when travel slows down. The journey doesn’t end with age; it evolves into new formats and conversations.