Armenian Enough

One of the greatest gifts we can bestow on our culture is to make our historical past relevant by merging it with the present day. Composer John Hodian guides us through his process of rediscovering Armenian music, infusing it with world music influences, and welding that combination to ancient lyrics, resulting in a genre that defies categorization.

You can reach The Naghash Ensemble on IG @naghashensemble and purchase their latest CD at naghashensemble.com

Universally, Armenia is recognized as a Christian nation, but what were we before then? Armenian history goes back thousands of years. What did our ancestors believe in? To whom did they pray? Are any of the pagan traditions still practiced today? Historian Vazgen Barsegian takes us back in time to discover a rich Armenian and pre-Armenian pantheon of Gods & Goddesses, whose remnants can still be found today in ancient ruins and elements of tradition woven through cultural holiday customs - that is, if you know where to look!

Vazgen can be reached on his website at www.vazgentheurartian.com as well as on FB at Vazgen Barsegian and Instagram @vazgentheurartian

In America and across the globe today, people have been experiencing an intense sense of polarization. It's happening on social media, TV news, and in our very living rooms. The gulf between us and them feels at its widest. It is increasingly difficult for us to find meaningful common ground with those we view as being on the opposing end of the moral spectrum. It wasn't always this way... and it doesn't have to be this way now, either. How to Have Impossible Conversations is a timely new book by Dr. Peter Boghossian and James Linsdey that offers a practical, step-by-step guide to navigate even the most challenging conversations. Get your copy today wherever books are sold!

You can reach Dr. Peter Boghossian on Twitter @peterboghossian

Purchase your copy of HOW TO HAVE IMPOSSIBLE CONVERSATIONS here:

In Part 2 of our episode on racism in the Armenian community, Sonia and Brandon speak frankly about the challenges they face as a mixed family and the importance of representation for their children. They illustrate how being biracial can be an enhancement of culture rather than a dilution of it. At its core, it is a matter of knowing and loving who we are as individuals and trusting our hearts to be true.

The gorgeous portraits of Yeraz and Ashkhen are the artwork of Arpi Krikorian. www.ArpiKrikorian.com

Sonia Pierce can be reached on her FB page at www.facebook.com/sonia.garbet

When we talk about marriage in Armenian culture, we tread on sacred ground. Most of us grow up knowing we are expected to marry one of our own, another Armenian. We are told this is the only way to preserve our bloodline, our heritage, our history -- and to fail in this simple task is to complete the job the Turks set out to accomplish during the Armenian Genocide. It's a compelling argument on one level, but we humans are complicated, fallible beings with hearts and yearnings all our own. And calls for racial or ethnic purity cannot simply wrap themselves in a flag and be transformed into patriotism. Sonia & Brandon Pierce tell the story of their love for one another, and in doing so, reveal the true nature of what it means to be a proud Armenian in today's diaspora.

Most of us are in the habit of making snap judgments about others with very little information. It's a shortcut our brains frequently use to conserve energy. But what we often miss when we do so is the acknowledgement and recognition of the humanity of the person standing before us. Autism Spectrum Disorder is, on one level, an opportunity to look deeper; to admit that our understanding is severely limited by our own perceptions and biases; and an appeal to be our most compassionate selves with those who may be different from us. Aside from being a wealth of information on ASD, Taleen is unflinchingly honest and vulnerable in sharing her experiences as a parent of a child with Autism.

You can reach the Armenian Autism Outreach Project at www.armenianautism.org

We begin our second season by highlighting the underlying theme of our podcast - that all our stories deserve to be told. There is arguably no better medium than film for conveying the human condition, for allowing the audience to step into the shoes of the protagonist, to feel her pain and her joy. The ARPA International Film Festival serves as a unique platform to bolster Armenian filmmakers and grant their work a global stage. Sylvia Minassian's passion, dedication, and love of the arts shine through as she recounts the festival's humble beginnings and what it took to achieve the stature the festival enjoys today.

PLEASE support the festival by attending it, if you can!

Tickets to the festival can be obtained at their website www.arpafilmfestival.com

www.facebook.com/arpafilmfestival www.instagram.com/arpafilmfestival

The second part of our double-episode on substance abuse is focused on the American experience of addiction and the cultural norms surrounding the recovery process. [Trigger warning: this episode mentions suicide. suicidepreventionlifeline.org]

Erin Khar's autobiographical novel Strung Out (to be released on February 25, 2020) provides readers with an unflinchingly honest look into the mind, heart, and soul of a young addict. In telling her story, Erin sheds a profound light on the opioid crisis and gives a voice to the over two million people in America currently struggling with this addiction.

Join us for a discussion of the importance of honesty and awareness of mental health issues as well as resources for those who want help.

https://www.erinkhar.com

https://twitter.com/ErinKhar

https://www.instagram.com/erinkhar/

https://www.facebook.com/ErinKharAuthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5266867.Erin_Khar

The first part of our double-episode on substance abuse takes a look at the Armenian perspective and explores what role cultural dynamics play in addiction as well as in the courageous act of seeking treatment.

Suzy's openness about her own struggles with drugs & alcohol help to make this taboo subject approachable. Her optimism and tough-love approach to recovery comes from a genuine belief that recovery is for everyone. Hear how she puts that into action every day as a counselor at Absolute Control Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center and as the owner of Prosperous Rose Sober Living.

Facebook : ProsperousRoseSoberLiving or Suzy Eskilian

www.absolutecontroltreatment.com

[email protected]

When we talk about Armenia or being Armenian, what is it that we really mean? Is it possible that we are paradoxically divided by a common culture? With Salpi's deep academic roots and experiential frankness, we explore the notions of diasporan and native Armenianness as well as the unprocessed trauma of our collective tribe.

Innovate Armenia takes place Saturday, May 18, 2019 - from 10 am to 6 pm. If you live in the area, GO!

(It will also be live-streamed for those of you who don't.)

You can find information about Innovate Armenia as well as listen to Salpi's podcast, New Roads, at USC Institute of Armenian Studies: armenian.usc.edu