Podcasts about iranian american

The United States is mobilizing for a new war on Iran — repositioning military forces, floating assassination threats, and insisting on negotiations at the same time.As this military buildup intensifies, Western media is reviving a familiar propaganda narrative: that Iran is collapsing, its government has lost control, and foreign intervention might actually help.To cut through the noise, Rania Khalek is joined by Navid Zarrinnal, an Iranian-American academic and host of The Colony Archive, speaking from inside Tehran. Navid breaks down what's actually happening on the ground — from internal debates over negotiations, to Iran's potential military retaliation, to why the myth of Iran's imminent collapse keeps getting recycled.They also discuss the end of Iran's so-called “strategic patience,” the reality of U.S. hybrid warfare, the role of foreign intervention in recent protests, and the dangerous push to fracture Iran along ethnic and sectarian lines — a policy openly floated by Western elites.Finally, Navid explains why the nuclear deal failed, why sanctions and regime-change politics won't bring justice, and what the Western Left should actually be focusing on.Read Navid's Breakthrough News article here; https://breakthroughnews.org/irans-protests-explained-a-diary-from-tehran/ 

Molly and Kate speak with Anna Ansari, a London based Iranian American writer, about her new book Silk Roads and the major career shift that brought it about. A former customs attorney, Anna takes us from her childhood in Michigan to a stint in Beijing where she discovered Uyghur cuisine and how a move to the UK precipitated an interest in cooking and food writing. She shares how she got interested in this particular topic and geographic location, what the research process was like and what went into crafting her writing voice. She explains the thought behind the pitch and proposal, the process of recipe curation and research and why she decided to package the book the way it is before touching on the marketing and promotion strategy and what she is working on next.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAnna AnsariWebsiteInstagramSubstack Bibliography for Silk Roads (scroll to the bottom)MiGrateful organizationSilk Roads: A Flavor Odyssey with Recipes from Baku to Beijing, by Anna AnsariHome Food, Olia Hercules Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSilk Roads: A Flavor Odyssey with Recipes from Baku to Beijing by Anna AnsariHome Food by Olia Hercules

Jian opens Episode 412 of Roqe – Iran Rises with a forceful opening essay on the power of unity - as Iranians around the world shatter old stereotypes of division and rally around shared symbols, identity, and purpose. He's then joined by Homa Sarshar, revered Iranian-American journalist, author, and cultural figure, for a wide-ranging and deeply informed conversation on why this moment feels different, the evolving role of the diaspora, the silence of Western media, and what meaningful international pressure might actually require. Recorded February 2, 2026. This episode is brought to you with the support of Avoca Chocolates avocachocolates.com

Will the US strike Iran or make a deal? That is the key question as the US continues to build up its military presence in the region. Meanwhile, the brutal crackdown that killed thousands of protestors last month appears to be almost forgotten. Abbas Milani is an Iranian-American historian and author of a landmark biography of the former Shah. He joins the show to discuss this all.  Also on today's show: Michael J. Bustamante, Chair, Cuban Studies, University of Miami; Charles Duhigg, Writer, The New Yorker    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her -  defining her future and explaining her past. Plus, an urban legend about a chicken that turns out to be true.This is our final week of the Tooth & Nail series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love stories in February... Fever. Do not miss it.No ReinsAn Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her -  defining her future and explaining her past.This story contains state brutality and sexual situations, sensitive listeners please be advised.Thank you Pardis for speaking with Snap! Check out her book --Book of Queens -- all about her time on horseback in Iran. Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Headless ChickenSome schoolyard stories are true, and so are some urban legends.This story contains descriptions of a chicken without a head, please take care while listening.For more information about Mike The Headless Chicken, including Fruita, Colorado's annual Mike The Headless Chicken Festival, check out miketheheadlesschicken.orgProduced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio with additional instrumentation by Andrew Vickers.Season 17 - Episode 4 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Most Valuable 40 Minutes You'll Spend Today! Advice from the man who made $100 million in a weekend.Speakers: Alex HormoziAlex Hormozi is a first-generation Iranian-American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. In 2013, he started his first brick-and-mortar business. Within three years, he successfully scaled his business to six locations. He then sold his locations to transition to the turnaround business. From there, he spent two years turning 32+ brick & mortar businesses around using the same model that made his privately owned locations successful. After that experience, he packaged his process into a licensing model that scaled to over 4000+ locations in 4 years. Over that same four-year period, he founded and scaled three other companies to $120M+ in cumulative sales across four different industries without taking on outside capital. He has scaled and exited 7 companies. His most notable exit was the majority sale of his licensing company for $46.2M in 2021.Instagram - @daily_motivationsorgFacebook- @daily_motivationsorg

What does justice mean when it's stripped of context—and what happens when societies forget the cost of freedom?In this powerful episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with Dr. Sheila Nazarian, an Iranian-American physician, entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate for truth, to discuss her extraordinary journey fleeing Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and building a life in the United States.Grounded in the article “Justice Needs Context,” this conversation explores why justice cannot exist in abstraction—only within history, culture, and lived experience. Dr. Nazarian shares firsthand insight into life under an authoritarian regime, the dangers of ideological amnesia, and why Americans must understand freedom before redefining justice.Together, Alma and Dr. Nazarian examine how narratives around oppression, privilege, and power shift when viewed through the lens of immigrants who escaped tyranny—and why gratitude, perspective, and courage are essential to preserving a free society.About the Guest:Dr. Sheila Nazarian is a board-certified plastic surgeon, successful entrepreneur, television personality, and outspoken activist. After establishing a leading private medical practice, she founded multiple ventures including NazarianSkin, The Skin Spot, Spa26, and Physique26. She rose to national prominence through appearances on major media outlets and her starring role in Netflix's Emmy-nominated series Skin Decision: Before and After.Beyond medicine and business, Dr. Nazarian is known for her fearless advocacy, using her platform to speak out on freedom, justice, and cultural truth. As an Iranian immigrant who fled religious extremism, she brings rare moral clarity to conversations about liberty, responsibility, and the cost of silence.In This Episode, You'll Hear:- Dr. Nazarian's story of escaping Iran after the fall of the Shah- Why justice without historical and moral context becomes dangerous- How lived experience reshapes conversations about oppression and freedom- The responsibility of free societies to protect truth, courage, and gratitude- Why immigrants who fled tyranny see America differently—and why that mattersThis episode is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with questions of justice, freedom, immigration, and cultural memory in America today.

In this episode of the Edward R. Murrow Award winning podcast Immigration Crisis: The Fight for the Southern Border, Emmy winning journalist Yami Virgin and photojournalist and editor Paul Sanchez examine how wealth and investment influence legal immigration. As debate grows over high dollar visa pathways, supporters say these programs create jobs and boost the economy, while critics question fairness and access. Yami speaks with immigration attorney Abteen Vaziri, an Iranian American who came to the U.S. as a political refugee and now works with the EB-5 visa program, which allows immigrants to pursue a green card by investing in U.S. businesses that generate American jobs. The episode explores who benefits from investment driven immigration and what it means for the future of U.S. immigration policy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roxana Saberi, an Iranian-American journalist, Fargo Native, Concordia Graduate, Former Miss ND, worked as a foreign correspondent based in Tehran for six years. She was imprisoned for 100 days in 2009 on a false accusation of espionage, and worked as a foreign and US correspondent for CBS News for several years. She joins Amy Iler and Mike Obach (filling in for JJ Gordon) to talk about the protests in Iran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"People can take everything from you, but they can never take your education."  Freedom does not arrive as a single event; it is built through courage passed from one generation to the next. When people are denied voice, dignity, and agency, resistance becomes cultural, familial, and inevitable. Education, memory, and moral clarity act as long-term weapons against authoritarian control, shaping individuals who refuse to internalize fear. Over time, this produces a population that understands oppression deeply—and rejects it decisively.  Pardis Mahdavi frames Iran's current uprising as intergenerational resistance, tracing how children of the revolution became parents of a new resistance movement. She explains how education, women-led defiance, youth courage, and cultural creativity have steadily weakened the regime's grip. From everyday acts of dissent to mass protests, these movements have grown brighter, louder, and impossible to ignore—inside Iran and across the global diaspora.  Pardis is an Iranian-American scholar, author, and educator whose work focuses on Iran, gender, youth movements, and resistance under authoritarian regimes. She has written multiple books, taught at leading universities, and continues to advocate globally for a free Iran through research, media, and public discourse.  Expert action steps:  Stay informed – Learn Iran's historical and political context to understand the present moment clearly.  Keep Iran visible – Use conversations and social platforms to maintain global attention.  Resist division – Act from unity and open-heartedness within the diaspora to avoid fragmentation.  Learn more & connect:  https://www.pardismahdavi.com/  IG: @mahdavipardis  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pardis-mahdavi-3b8618229/  X: @pardismahdavi  Email: pardis.mahdavi@gmail.com  Books written by Pardis:  Book of Queens: The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror  Hyphen  Crossing the Gulf: Love and Family in Migrant Lives  From Trafficking to Terror: Constructing a Global Social Problem  Gridlock: Labor, Migration, and Human Trafficking in Dubai  Passionate Uprisings: Iran's Sexual Revolution  Riding  Also in this episode:  Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level. 

Mass protests against the current regime in Iran have been ongoing since late December.Iranian security forces have killed thousands. Many more have been arrested. It's been called the deadliest unrest in the country since the 1979 revolution.A near-total internet blackout continues, limiting communication and adding to uncertainty.We sit down with one Iranian American in San Diego, concerned about the safety of her friends and family in Iran and grappling with anxiety about the future.Guest:Bibi Kasrai, Iranian American entrepreneur who has lived in San Diego since 1996

This episode is sponsored by House of Macadamias -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our specially curated box that also comes with the free snack bars and 15% offer for CURVA MUNDIAL listeners! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, be sure to visit our merch store!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Musician Salar Rajabnik aka Darker Lighter comes on to talk about his debut album and his Iranian-American roots. The musician also discusses working with Foo Fighters and the clubs he supports including Team Melli, Persepolis, LAFC, Celtic and City.

The people of Iran are in the midst of one of the country's biggest uprisings — and harshest government crackdowns — since the Iranian Revolution. It started with shopkeepers in bazaars closing their doors at the end of December in protest of the plummeting Iranian rial and economic distress. But demonstrations soon spread to universities and across the country to every single province. Working-class Iranians wanted relief — both from the inflation crisis and U.S sanctions.This week on The Intercept Briefing, host Akela Lacy speaks with Hooman Majd, an Iranian American writer and journalist, who explains what sparked the protests and the government's brutal response. “I don't think in the history of Iran, even during the Islamic Revolution, have we seen this number of fatalities.” says Majd. “The death toll is staggering. Really, because that death toll is staggering, what's happened is there are no more protests. And that's where we are right now. No more protest, heavy security on the streets. Massive security on the streets, on every corner. It isn't martial law. But it feels like martial law to people living there.”The path forward is unclear, Majd says. But a few things are certain. “The idea is no to shah, no to an ayatollah, no to theocracy. Let's just, finally, after 120 years of demonstrating — which is what the Iranians have been doing since 1906 — after 120 years of looking for democracy, can we just do that? Can we just get a democracy? That is probably the biggest sentiment in Iran: wanting a democratic rule, wanting the repression to end, wanting better relations with the rest of the world so these sanctions can be lifted.”Some people inside and outside Iran have called on President Donald Trump to intervene. The idea that the U.S. should — or could — impose regime change militarily is folly, Majd says. “Sure, we were able to impose a regime change in Iraq militarily. They can do that again in Iran, possibly with the help of Israel or even without the help of Israel. But then what do you have? Do you have another basically authoritarian, autocratic government?'” Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to intervene in another international arena. He has set his sights on taking over Greenland. Despite walking back his statements pledging to do so by force, Trump has now said he's forming a plan with the secretary general of NATO for Greenland's future. We're joined by independent investigative journalist Lois Parshley, who explains the financial interests behind Trump's obsession with the Arctic island, the billionaires and tech moguls plotting to exploit Greenland's natural resources, and how the people of Greenland have responded to the president's pledge to violate their sovereignty.Shortly before Trump first expressed an interest in Greenland during his first term, his ambassador to Denmark and Greenland visited a major rare earth mining project on the island, Parshley reported last year. “More recently, The Guardian reported that it was Ronald Lauder, heir to the global cosmetics brand [Estée Lauder] who was also a longtime friend of Trump's, who first suggested buying Greenland. He has acquired commercial holdings there and is also part of a consortium who want to access Ukrainian minerals.”Fresh off the invasion of Venezuela, the idea that Trump wants to take over Greenland is even more alarming, Parshley says. “I'm not the first person to report on these kinds of major tech interests in things like crypto states or special economic zones. People have been pointing this stuff out for a long time, but it's not until President Trump started saying the quiet part out loud that people have really been registering some of these absurd concepts that seem to now be creeping toward reality.”Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. If you want to support our work, you can go to theintercept.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the threat of war among allies over Greenland has abated, with Donald Trump announcing he's agreed on a security plan with the head of NATO, the details are still unclear. Tonight, EU leaders will gather in Brussels for an emergency summit. Former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt joins Christiane to discuss.  Also on today's show: Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who was imprisoned in Iran for eight years; A. Rob Hirschfeld, Bishop, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jian opens Episode 409 of Roqe - Iran Rises with a direct message to members of the Iranian diaspora who have chosen silence during one of the most violent chapters in the Islamic Republic's history - not out of ignorance or absence, but out of convenience. The episode then turns to a panel discussion with two guests joining from opposite sides of the world: Erfan Paydar, Iranian-American rapper and activist in Los Angeles, and Forouq Canaani, academic and political analyst based in Munich. Together, they examine the current state of the uprising inside Iran, the unprecedented scale of global solidarity rallies, the role of regime-linked lobbying and disinformation efforts, and how Iranians inside the country are navigating repression, fear, and hope in real time. Roqe - Iran Rises is recorded as events continue to move rapidly on the ground, with perspectives shared as close to real time as possible. This episode is brought to you with the support of Stellar Law

In this episode of Roqe – as part of the Iran Rises series - Jian reflects on a defining moment in Iran's ongoing revolution as internet blackouts begin to crack and evidence of mass violence by the Islamic Republic regime against civilians comes into view. In an opening essay entitled “Don't Look Away,” Jian argues that silence, exhaustion, and narrative distortion are among the most powerful tools authoritarian regimes rely on. Jian is then joined by Iranian-American former U.S. senior official and global business leader Bijan Kian for an in-depth conversation about: What the regime's actions reveal about its survival strategy Whether recent massacres mark a point of no return The international community's response – and its limits The role of disinformation and soft-pedalled narratives What sustained attention and support can actually achieve This episode was recorded on January 19, 2026, as events inside Iran continued to evolve This edition of Roqe is supported by Stellar Law – a Toronto-based boutique litigation firm known for disciplined strategy and rigorous advocacy.

At least 2,600 protesters have been killed in Iran's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those protests now appear to have abated after nearly two weeks, but many outside Iran are still struggling to get information about loved ones because of the Islamic Republic's communication blackout. Meanwhile, as President Trump gives mixed signals on intervention, the U.S. imposed additional sanctions on Thursday. We'll hear from Iranians in California about how they're processing the latest news, and from you: How do you want the U.S. to respond? Guests: Robin Wright, contributing writer, The New Yorker - her most recent piece for the magazine is "Iran's Regime Is Unsustainable"; Wright is also the author of "Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East" among other books Hoda Katebi, labor attorney, Iranian-American writer and community organizer Sahar Razavi, associate professor, Department of Political Science; director, Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center, California State University, Sacramento Shani Moslehi, founder and chief executive officer, Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce (OCIACC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Steve Gruber Show | Threats at Home and Abroad | Guest Host: Scot Bertram --- 19:04 – Gerard Scimeca, attorney and chairman of Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), a nonprofit free-market consumer advocacy group he co-founded. Scimeca explains why ICE enforcement is more than a political talking point and how it directly impacts everyday consumers. He breaks down the economic and public safety consequences often overlooked in the debate. Follow @CASE_forAmerica. 28:00 – Isabella Redjai, podcast producer with the Manhattan Institute and a first-generation Iranian-American. Redjai provides the latest updates on Iran and the rapidly evolving situation in the region. She offers insight shaped by both policy analysis and personal perspective. 47:10 – John J. Miller, Director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College and author of Reading Around: Journalism on Authors, Artists, and Ideas. Miller discusses how your local post office may also be an art museum. He explores the surprising cultural and historical value hidden in plain sight. 57:20 – Mark L. Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. Clifford examines the case of Jimmy Lai and what it reveals about the erosion of democracy and rule of law in Hong Kong. He explains why Lai's imprisonment matters far beyond China's borders. 1:06:15 – Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, business owner, husband, and father. Forlini, a candidate for Secretary of State, sounds the alarm on potential massive voter record issues statewide. He explains why election integrity and accurate voter rolls are critical to public trust. 1:25:13 – Kendall Qualls, Project 21 Ambassador and founder of the nonprofit TakeCharge. Qualls reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what his message means today. He discusses unity, shared values, and the enduring promise of America for all. 1:35:14 – Bruce de Torres, Director of Communications for the American Small Business League. De Torres breaks down how New York City's socialist policies aimed at the ultra-rich could end up hurting small, family-owned businesses instead. He explains why mom-and-pop shops often pay the real price. --- Visit Steve's website: https://stevegruber.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevegrubershow Truth: https://truthsocial.com/@stevegrubershow Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/stevegruber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevegrubershow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevegrubershow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stevegrubershow Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TheSteveGruberShow

I talked with Spencer Hakimian about hedge funds, private equity, and the money world. We also touched on his background as a first-generation Iranian-American.

California's new year begins with a “new” version of Gov. Gavin Newsom – offering Sacramento lawmakers a detailed and in-person State of the State Address, as opposed to recent years when the governor eschewed such pageantry. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover's California on Your Mind web channel, discuss Newsom's “rosy” vision of California versus the realities of chronic homelessness, a lack of affordable housing, slow-track high-speed-rail construction, plus a revenue stream overly dependent upon the AI boom. Also discussed: reorganizing state constitutional offices; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's emergence as a Newsom foil and possible gubernatorial candidate; a proposed billionaire tax driving capital out of California; and a lack of Iran-related protests on college campuses despite the considerable Iranian-American population in Los Angeles County. Recorded on January 15, 2026.

Two prominent Iranian-American journalists, Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post and Hooman Majd of NBC News, say the regime may be losing its grip.Jason Rezaian https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jason-rezaian/Hooman Majdhttps://www.hoomanmajd.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Karen Greenberg on Twitterhttps://x.com/KarenGreenberg3Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey Social Democrats. Welcome to a new season of Socially Democratic. Mass protests in Iran are entering their third week. Go behind the headlines with Iranian-American entrepreneur Zahra Amanpour. Born during the Iranian revolution of 1979 and hailing from a family of anti-authoritarian activists, Zahra is a fierce advocate for democracy, human rights, and gender equality, particularly in her home country. Drawing on her strong connection to the Iranian Resistance movement, she shares insights rarely reported in the media:

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: The ex-father-in-law of Renee Good breaks his silence in a stunning interview, offering grace, faith, and perspective after the deadly ICE encounter. FOCUS: Franklin Graham calls America to prayer — what sparked his message, what he says is the solution, and what it means for this moment in history. MAIN THING: A shocking new report claims more than 12,000 people have been killed in Iran as the regime fights to survive. CBN's Raj Nair speaks with Iranian-American journalist Lisa Daftari about what's happening behind the scenes and what comes next. *SCRIPTURE: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.” — Hebrews 10:23 PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

Iran is in crisis. The price of bread has more than doubled, the currency has collapsed to record lows, and protests have erupted across the country. As security forces respond with deadly force, doctors inside Iran are being warned not to treat injured protesters and hospitals are buckling under the strain.In this episode of Battle Lines: Global Health Security, we go inside Iran's overwhelmed healthcare system. We speak to Dr Kayvan Mirhadi, an Iranian-American doctor who has gathered testimonies from doctors across the country. Venetia and Arthur also speak to Dr Sanam Vakil from Chatham House to examine the deeper forces driving this moment: food insecurity, economic collapse, water shortages, women's rights, and years of systemic mismanagement.Producer: Sophie O'SullivanExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsStudio Operator: Meghan Searle► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk@venetiarainey@ascottgeddesPicture credit: AP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran is facing massive protests and the regime is facing a significant challenge to its grip on power. The regime has unleashed the military, killing hundreds on the country's streets. President Trump had threatened air strikes, raising questions about the future of the regime. What is the future of Iran?Aaron sat down with Saeid Golkar, an Iranian-American political scientist, and UC Foundation associate Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Hamed Behravan, Vice President at DT Institute and Director of the Iran program.This episode is part of a collaboration between the Foreign Policy Research Institute and DT Institute about the future of governance in the Middle East. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Tuesday, January 13, 2025.

In Iran, popular protests continue to sweep the country. Rights groups say hundreds of Iranians have been killed in the government crackdown on the protests, which are seen as a challenge to the theocratic regime. President Trump has warned he may hit Iran “very hard” for the violence against protesters. He also said the U.S. was set to meet with Iranian officials. Iran has said channels of communication with the U.S. remain “open”. Our reporter brings us up to speed on what we know about events inside Iran. And an we hear from an Iranian-American analyst about why the protests in Iran this time are different.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Iran's foreign minister insists the situation is “under total control.” But reports inside Iran tell a different story, with human rights groups warning of hundreds killed and thousands arrested as the regime tries to crush a new wave of nationwide protests. Internet blackouts make verification difficult, yet glimpses of the streets show anger not just at the authorities but at the symbols of state-backed power.In this episode of The Fourcast, Matt Frei speaks to Masih Alinejad, the Iranian American journalist and activist, about what she is hearing from inside the country and why she believes the demonstrations represent a deeper rupture with the Islamic Republic, and to Narguess Farzad, Senior Lecturer in Persian Studies at SOAS, to understand the wider cultural picture, the roots of Iran's cycles of unrest, and whether this moment could mark a turning point. She explains how Iran's young, highly educated population has reached its limit, why some mosques are now seen as symbols of oppression, and how the regime weighs controlled concessions against total brutality.

Protests have spread across Iran, and the fallout is rapidly evolving. In this episode, Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, explains the wider historic context and evolution of these protests. He helps host Tammam Aloudat think through the nuance of opposing an abusive government while also rejecting imperialism – whether that be in Venezuela, Iran, or the al-Assad regime in Syria. And Dabashi discusses what humanitarians might pay attention to as events unfold.   Guests:    Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University   Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.

Mass protests across Iran: but how will the authorities respond? We hear from the BBC Persian Service, where journalists are trying to monitor events amid an information blackout, and discuss Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's options with Iranian-American journalist Hooman Majd. Also in the programme: Colombian President Gustavo Petro's views on United States policy in Latin America; and Elon Musk's former partner Ashley St Clair explains her concerns about sexualised images made by the Grok AI chatbot on X, formerly known as Twitter.(Photo: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, taken on 3 Jan 2026; Credit: IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT/EPA/Shutterstock)

On this Freedom Friday, Karl and Crew celebrated freedom stories as we turned to the phone lines to ask listeners the question, “What’s that one thing that you thought you’d never get victory over, but God did it?” We then invited Dr. Hormoz Shariat to share the voice of the people of Iran amid the protests. Dr. Shariat is the Founder and President of Iran Alive Ministries (IAM), which uses satellite broadcasting and the internet to reach Iranians with the gospel. Dr. Shariat has been named “the Billy Graham of Iran” and “the most influential Iranian American” by Christianity Today. Then we had Dr. Sam Storms join us to discuss the work and function of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Storms is the Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the board of the Gospel Coalition. He is also the Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Dr. Hormoz Shariat Interview [04:33 ] Dr. Sam Storms Interview [15:33] Listener Freedom Stories [34:28] Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, Karl and Crew celebrated freedom stories as we turned to the phone lines to ask listeners the question, “What’s that one thing that you thought you’d never get victory over, but God did it?” We then invited Dr. Hormoz Shariat to share the voice of the people of Iran amid the protests. Dr. Shariat is the Founder and President of Iran Alive Ministries (IAM), which uses satellite broadcasting and the internet to reach Iranians with the gospel. Dr. Shariat has been named “the Billy Graham of Iran” and “the most influential Iranian American” by Christianity Today. Then we had Dr. Sam Storms join us to discuss the work and function of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Storms is the Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the board of the Gospel Coalition. He is also the Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Dr. Hormoz Shariat Interview [04:33 ] Dr. Sam Storms Interview [15:33] Listener Freedom Stories [34:28] Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you refer to your dog or cat as "somebody"? As in: When you love somebody that much, you don't mind if they slobber. In other words, is your pet a somebody or a something? Also, for centuries, there was little consistency in the way many English words were spelled. But long before the printing press helped to standardize spelling, powerful historical forces were already shaping how those words looked on the page. Plus, Irish words that are as handy as they are fun to say: bockety, which describes something wobbly, and segotia, a fond term for "friend." And ship vs. yacht, rope vs. line, the New Yorker vs. the The New Yorker, evening vs. afternoon, how to pronounce hammock, a wild and woolly animal quiz, "talking cheese" in German, and an Iranian-American playwright on the challenges of learning another language. Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org. Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text +1 619 800 4443. Send voice notes or messages via WhatsApp 16198004443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E465 Sirous Esmailzadeh is Iranian-American who was detained in Iran after his passport was confiscated. He was smuggled out of Iran and was trying to find safe harbor back to the states and through a series of events, ended up imprisoned in a notorious Pakistani prison. He recounts the harrowing ordeal and his bittersweet return […]

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Japan's largest military buildup since World War Two is now underway. New reporting reveals a sweeping expansion of missile sites, radar systems, and a major United States–Japan F-35 base across strategic islands near Taiwan. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery joins us to break down what's happening and why it matters. Iran's students are stepping into a dangerous spotlight as unrest builds across the country. Iranian-American scholar and human rights advocate Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad joins us with insight into what this moment means for Iran's future—and the risks these young protesters are facing. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Nobl Travel: Protect your gear and travel smarter—NOBL's zipper-free carry-on is up to 58% off at https://NOBLTravel.com Goldbelly: Discover iconic meals from legendary restaurants delivered nationwide with Goldbelly—get 20% off your first order at https://Goldbelly.com using promo code PDB. Tax Relief Advocates: End your tax nightmare today by visiting us online at https://TRA.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers speaks with Bandsplain host Yasi Salek, who shares a moving, honest account of growing up Iranian-American in 1980s Los Angeles. Yasi discusses her family’s immigration story post-Iranian revolution, her experience being the “other” in a predominantly white community, and the identity conflict that shaped her early life — including moments of rebellion in pursuit of American assimilation. The conversation explores the nuances of Middle Eastern family dynamics, the pressures of cultural tradition, and the value of commitment — both in blood ties and chosen families. Yasi reflects on a formative high school chapter in Singapore, her deep bond with her cousins, and the remarkable legacy of her grandfather: a communist, a vegetarian in the 1920s, and an enduring symbol of independence and personal philosophy. Guest: Yasi Salek Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the spotlight is Nick Berg, an Iranian American author whose life and writing has been marked by cultural conflict and the search for purpose. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and an American father, he grew up amid Iran's rich cultural heritage and the intense political upheavals of the region. Those formative experiences influenced Nick Berg's worldview in profound ways, inspiring him to tell stories that resonate with both struggle and redemption. His novel, Shadows of Tehran, is based on a true story and reflects his journey through themes of identity, survival and transformation.  Learn more about Nick Berg and his work here: https://www.pnberg.com Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Iranian-American visual artist Golnar Adili on her journey from architecture to teaching and practicing visual arts. They discuss her work that transgresses borders and definition and how she uses the Perso-Arabic script and language as material for artistic exploration. Golnar talks about her love for science and art and how architecture brought these two passions together. She also discusses her first research trip to Tehran to investigate (free)inside/(controlled)outside spaces and what these notions represent in that particular cultural context, which was her starting point into becoming an artist. The research is concluded with a book of photographs entitled: "Tehran, A Landscape of Compressed Freedoms." Through the discussion, they unpack the relation between her work, her personal family history and experiences of living in diaspora, and her work as an artist and designer. They further explore these concepts in her other projects delving into her collage techniques and books arts projects. Golnar explains how her heart-language, Persian, plays a central role in her work, taking lyrical Persian poetry and making it contemporary through the design of the letterforms and the use of material. She discusses how gender has informed her work and how it compelled her to express small intimate stories of women (in her family) in her work. In her work she formally manipulates physical and visual material to convey emotions going by the Persian saying: "What comes from the heart, sits on the heart." The conversation is concluded with a brief talk about her teaching at both the Parsons School of Design (with college students) on one hand and children middle-schoolers on the other, and how her teaching assignments relate to her own work and explorations: straddling two and three dimensions, and exploring materials and techniques of image-making. Golnar Adili is one the visual artists and graphic women featured in the book, Revealing Recording Reflecting: Graphic Women from Southwest Asia and North Africa (Amsterdam: Khatt Books, 2024). FOLLOW & RATE KHATT CHRONICLES:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/khatt-chronicles-stories-on-design-from-the-arab-world/id1472975206» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ATH0MwO1tIlBvQfahSLrB» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014374489THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5mMJ782dhW6yvfq0E0_HhAABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

Ian welcomes back filmmaker Amir Motlagh to discuss his 2024 drama, Young Ali: Those Were the Days!Motlagh co-writes (with Charles Borg), directs, and stars in this slice-of-life look at a middle-aged Iranian-American man grappling with job loss and divorce in the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown. Forced to move back in with his elderly parents, he seeks refuge in old home movies while trying to figure out whether or not he has a future.In this interview, Ian and Amir dig into the real-life roots of this challenging, heartfelt, and inspiring story, which expands upon similar themes from Motlagh's previous films. From the ins and outs of his scriptwriting collaboration, to capturing the naturalism of family arguments, to finding meaning at the depths of despair--this conversation delves into a movie that speaks not only to a specific moment in time, but to the universality of its rippling after effects.Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Young Ali (2024) trailer.Sign up for Relay to stream Young Ali!Keep up with all of Amir's projects at his website.As mentioned in the show, Amir's dad (who appears in Young Ali) has his own cooking show on YouTube! Dig in to "Cooking with Yousef" (and subscribe while you're at it)!In 2026, Young Ali will screen as part of Sujewa Ekanayake's 3I/Atlas Film Festival. Stay tuned for dates and more info here.Support Sujewa's new film project, 53 Spaceships, the latest adventure of Cosmic Disco Detective Rene!Watch Sujewa's latest film, Cosmic Disco Detective Rene for free on YouTube! Rent The Secret Society for Slow Romance (the predecessor to Cosmic Disco Detective Rene).Follow Sujewa on X.Check out all the episodes in our “IndieSeen” Playlist!

Anna Ansari is a former New York international trade and customs attorney and now lives in East London. She's written a fascinating debut cookbook, Silk Roads: A Flavor Odyssey with Recipes from Baku to Beijing. It covers Anna's life growing up in an Iranian American family in Michigan and traveling throughout Asia from a young age on what she describes as the many silk roads. And, at the top of the show, it's the return of Three Things, where Aliza and Matt talk about what is exciting them in the world of restaurants, cookbooks, and the food world as a whole. On this episode: Matt visits the great Guamanian restaurant Family Friend in Seattle, and makes stops for Korean coffee at Park at Kims and there's a new pita shop in town at Shifka in New York. Aliza celebrates her birthday at World Spa, Si n'shpi, and dinner at Strange Delight. And we shout out Zola Gregory's latest column and a recipe for a Nutella pie worth celebrating. Subscribe to This Is TASTE: ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She built a career in business in America. Then, through depression and reflection, she found her true calling. Iranian-American podcaster and life coach Helli Hendesi, host of HelliTalks, joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to talk about her remarkable transformation - from corporate executive to full-time creator. A conversation about courage, reinvention, healing, and how one woman turned pain into purpose. Presented with support from Quasar Homes. Follow Jian on Instagram: @jianghomeshi and Roqe Media: @roqemedia Learn more at www.RoqeMedia.com

Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting with Xi Jinping, vote projections show the Netherlands' D66 and PVV parties tied in the general election, hundreds are killed at a Sudanese hospital following the Rapid Support Forces' capture of El Fasher, Trump orders the resumption of nuclear weapons testing, Lebanon's Joseph Aoun says the army should confront Israeli incursions, a British military instructor accused of spying for Russia is arrested in Ukraine, Prince Andrew is stripped of his royal titles, Trump cuts the refugee cap to 7,500, two men are imprisoned over a plot to kill an Iranian-American journalist, and Extropic unveils new AI chips promising a 10,000-fold leap in energy efficiency. Sources: www.verity.news

What explains the outsized success of Iranian Americans—and can that same resolve help tilt the future of Iran? We bring together two sharp voices to unpack a story that spans kitchen-table sacrifice, elite migration, and a culture where A's are expected and grit is non-negotiable. From early professional cohorts in medicine and engineering to founders in Silicon Valley, we trace the “immigrant trifecta” of aspiration, constraint, and discipline that turned upheaval into momentum.The conversation takes a turn as we examine a new surge of identity among Gen Z. Campus Persian classes fill up, clubs form overnight, and students study Iranian rap as political speech—all sparked by the Woman Life Freedom movement. That awakening reframes the assimilation question: instead of fading ties over generations, political courage in Tehran is restoring pride in Boston, Irvine, and beyond.We then wrestle with the hardest part: how change might actually happen. One guest makes the case for a single unifying figure—often pointing to Reza Pahlavi—to synchronize a divided diaspora and guide a path toward the ballot box. The other argues for system-first thinking, a coalition over charisma, and legitimacy grown from within Iran. Both agree on two truths: the regime is weaker than it looks, and enduring transformation must be led by Iranians inside the country. History offers context and hope—more than a century of Iranian constitutionalism and secular aspirations provides a deep native tradition to build upon.You'll leave with a clear map of the forces at play: the economics of a strained state, the psychology of exile politics, the power of youth networks, and the quieter heroism of families who traded comfort for possibility. If this conversation challenged you or sparked a new angle, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and tell us: does Iran's path forward need one voice—or many?Support Our WorkThe Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center's senior staff.Students work with the Center's director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu.Follow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalismLearn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribeThis show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Bio: Shadan Kishi Price is an award winning Iranian-American cook. Born in Tehran, she moved to the United States as a child and lives in Texas. She holds a degree in Visual Arts Studies as well as Hospitality Management. She has taught cooking classes and worked at the nation's first fully vegan dining hall. You can find her on Instagram and Tiktok @shadankp.Cookbook Club: https://www.amazon.com/Cookbook-Club-Plant-Based-Recipes-Entertaining/dp/1665310820Shaden Cooks: https://www.shadancooks.com/Cookbook lovers, this one's for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library. Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your BooksPerfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.Go to the link https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!Jamaican-American DJ Kool Herc, the breakbeat DJ who pioneered using funky drum solos and two-turntable set-up, is credited as the "Father of" what?What is the largest landlocked country in the world?From Ancient Greek for 'old' and 'stone', the period in human prehistory that is distinguished by the original development of stone tools is known by what P term?What is the only MLB team to have never made a World Series appearance?Which infamous TV character was inspired by Ali "Al" Yeganeh, an Iranian American who ran Soup Kitchen International on West 55th Street in New York City?What is the only MLB team to have never made a World Series appearance?Who is the best-selling Irish solo artist despite never performing concerts?Dehydrated broth or stock formed into a small cube shapes are known by what B term?BASE jumping is the recreational sport of jumping from fixed objects; what does the acronym BASE stand for? 2 pts each, 2 bonus for allMusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!

If you grew up in the Western world, it's entirely possible you've heard of a singular Silk Road used for trade between two major entities, Europe and China. And maaaybe Marco Polo. But the reality is so much more deeply textured and layered with transitions of food, spices, ideas, and cultures along along a wide array of travel and trading routes across Asia. My guest this week, Anna Ansari, speaks to this through her new cookbook-cum-memoir Silk Roads: A Flavour Odyssey with Recipes from Baku to Beijing. In this thoughtful and rich cookbook, Anna celebrates her Iranian-American heritage with the world's most storied trade routes through 90 recipes and essays. Anna is an Iranian-American writer, cook, and former international trade lawyer whose work explores the intersections of food, family, and history. Her work as appeared in Pit Magazine, Eaten, and Fillerzine. She lives in London with her husband, son, and cat. In today's conversation, Anna talks about her own journey into writing Silk Roads and researching culinary narratives across Asian trade routes, the expansive history of food and ideas travelling along the Silk Roads, and why the apple isn't so quintessentially American as people would think.  Learn More From Anna! Buy her book, Silk Roads Website Instagram: @thisplacetastesdelicious Substack Newsletter: Where in the World is Anna Ansari

Anna Ansari on Silk Roads: Tracing Food, Migration and Identity Across Asia  Iranian-American writer Anna Ansari joins Lecker to discuss her debut cookbook Silk Roads: A Flavour Odyssey with recipes from Baku to Beijing. Cooking Risotto alla Bukhara in her East London kitchen, we explore how ingredients, people, and culinary traditions have moved along ancient trade routes - and how Anna's own journey from suburban Detroit to China to Scotland connects to these stories of migration and belonging.  We cover:  The movement of ingredients across the Silk Roads (melons from Uzbekistan, spinach from Iran, apples from Kazakhstan)  How Anna's Turkic heritage connects to Central Asian and Chinese cuisines  Experiencing Uyghur food in Beijing as a teenager and recognising familiar flavours  Adapting traditional recipes like bakhash into dishes recognisable in different contexts  The immigrant experience: giving up a legal career to move countries and start over  Cooking rice as a constant across homes and continents  Authenticity, authority, and whose food stories get told  About Anna Ansari: Anna Ansari is an Iranian-American writer with a background in Asian Studies. A former trade attorney, she now writes at the intersection of food, family and history. Her debut book Silk Roads: A Flavour Odyssey is out now. Find her: Substack - Where in the World is Anna Ansari? / Instagram @thisplacetastesdelicious Find all of the Lecker Book Club reads on my Bookshop.org list. [aff link] Further Listening: What is a National Dish? with Anya von Bremzen Gastro-Spirituality with Jenny Lau --- Lecker is a podcast about how food shapes our lives. Recorded mostly in kitchens, each episode explores personal stories to examine our relationships with food – and each other. Support Lecker: Patreon: patreon.com/leckerpodcast Substack: leckerpodcast.substack.com Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lecker/id1158028729 Merch:  leckerpodcast.com/merch Listen everywhere: leckerpodcast.com Instagram: @leckerpodcast Full transcript available at leckerpodcast.com Lecker is part of Heritage Radio Network - heritageradionetwork.org Music by Blue Dot Sessions

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.comIf 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: https://zeteo.com/subscribeWATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE'RE NOT KIDDING' ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/were-not-kidding-with-mehdi-and-friendsFIND ZETEO:Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_newsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonewsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonewsFIND MEHDI:Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasanTwitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasanFIND ARIAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianmoayedWaterwell: https://www.waterwell.org/CREDITS:Hosted by: Mehdi HasanGuest Host: Arian MoayedExecutive Producer: Kiran AlviSenior Producer and Editor: Frank CappelloMusic: Andy ClausenDesign: Alicia TatoneMix Engineer: Valentino RiveraTitle Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali

Curious about indie publishing? Physician Paria Hassouri shares her debut journey to self-publish Harvesting Rosewater, centering a woman's midlife awakening.If you've ever been interested in the independent publishing process, you're not alone. Today's revealing conversation with Paria Hassouri, a pediatrician, whose self-published debut, Harvesting Rosewater, recently hit bookstores, takes readers inside her remarkable publishing process. Discover how Paria balances medicine and storytelling in today's under-the-radar debut feature, which centers on a physician's midlife awakening that I guarantee you will not be able to put down.In our illuminating conversation, we explore:Independent Publishing Adventures- Paria opens up about her unique indie publishing path, sharing how she navigated editing, securing book blurbs, and the creative freedom that comes with going her own way—plus the surprises that made the process both challenging and rewarding.Uncovering Autofiction Elements From Paria's Life- Drawing on her own childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, Paria shares personal memories and reflections from this challenging period in her young life in her story. She shares how blending real-life experiences with fiction has allowed her to explore her own identity, belonging, and what she hopes readers will take away from her book.The Women's Life Freedom Movement- We explore how themes of women's rights and resistance shaped this story, offering readers deeper insight into lives under restrictive systems and the tragedy that sparked the movement.

This week, Ash is joined by Chase Chewning, former military intelligence specialist, wellness entrepreneur, and host of Ever Forward Radio, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to live with purpose. After a career-ending injury shifted his trajectory, Chase transformed his path from the military to the world of health, fitness, and entrepreneurship, building a podcast that has reached over 7 million downloads. He opens up about the lessons he's learned along the way, from raising a trilingual son with his Iranian American wife to balancing the ever-evolving demands of fatherhood, wellness, and creative entrepreneurship. His story is one of adaptability and grit, showing how unexpected challenges can spark entirely new opportunities. Together, Ash and Chase explore the power of storytelling in both business and life, unpacking the ways podcasting blends preparation with instinct and how staying authentic in a crowded space creates lasting impact. They also dive deep into wellness, discussing how Chase shifted from fear-driven training due to old injuries into a more balanced lifestyle that embraces yoga, mobility, meditation, and sleep as non-negotiables. With candid reflections on burnout, creative growth, and humanizing content, Chase shares how entrepreneurs can expand their reach while remaining grounded in their values. This episode offers inspiration and practical takeaways for anyone navigating personal transformation, launching a passion-driven business, or striving to align health, work, and family.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Chase transformed a military-ending injury into a thriving wellness career. Why authenticity is the most powerful tool in podcasting and entrepreneurship. The balance between preparation and curiosity in creating engaging content. How to avoid burnout and navigate creative growth with intention. Why sustainable wellness means blending strength with mobility, recovery, and sleep. The art of humanizing your message to build deeper connections with your audience.   Visit shopify.com/youturn and only pay $1 for your first month's trial.   Connect with Chase Chewning Ever Forward Radio - Chase Chewning: https://chasechewning.com/podcasts Operation Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZmLOHW5yMLlz11ae9QFCY Website: https://chasechewning.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chase_chewning/?hl=en   Connect with Ash: https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl/ Want to become a professional speaker and skyrocket your personal brand?  Ashley's team at Wise Whisper Agency offers a done-with-you method to get your signature talk written and booked and it's helped more than 100 clients onto the TEDx stage! Head over to WiseWhisperAgency.com/speak