Iran 1400 Podcast

Iran 1400 Podcast

By Iran 1400 ProjectSociety & Culture
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Iran 1400 Podcast episodes

  • Women’s Rights in Iran: Challenges, Achievements, and Misconceptions

    This episode marks the second part of a two-part conversation with Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi delving into the evolving landscape of sexuality in contemporary Iran. Dr. Yaghoobi discusses the Family Protection Law, dispels common misconceptions within Iran, such as the assumption that all women share identical viewpoints, and examines the perceptions of veiling during the Pahlavi era. Furthermore, she assesses the progress made by women during the Pahlavi era, emphasizing the significant role played by women themselves, not just the government. The conversation ends with a discussion of the Islamic Republic’s views on “morality” and women's rights in present-day Iran.


    Dr. Yaghoobi is a professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. See her chapter “Iranian women and shifting sexual ideologies, 1850-2010” here.

    26 min
  • Shifting Dynamics of Sexuality in Iran: Non-linear Trajectories and Changing Sexual Norms

    This is the first part of a two part conversation with Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi exploring the shifting dynamics of sexuality in Iran across a span of nearly two centuries. Dr. Yaghoobi, a professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, examines the intersectionality of gender and sexuality, discussing how gender rights have fared better than sexual rights. She discusses sexual mores in iran and the non-linear trajectory of iran towards modernization. Furthermore, she delves into the notion of "acceptable" sexuality and draws comparisons between Iranian and Western sexual norms. See her chapter “Iranian women and shifting sexual ideologies, 1850-2010” here. 

    21 min
  • Labor in Iran Today: The Impact of Privatization and the Links to Contemporary Protests

    This podcast is part five of the Iran 1400 Project's labor series, and it concludes a three-part interview with Dr. Kaveh Ehsani, an associate professor at  DePaul University. Dr. Ehsani sheds light on the present condition of workers in Iran, emphasizing how the Islamic Republic perceives them as a threat to its establishment. He discusses the transition from the glorification of workers during the Iran-Iraq war to the privatization of Iran's economy and its implications for the workers at that time. Additionally, he explores the connection between labor protests and the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, and offers insights into the most effective approaches to safeguarding workers' rights.


    16 min
  • Shaping the Workforce: Iranian Workers’ Adaptation to Industrialization

    This is the fourth episode of the Iran 1400 Project’s series on labor in Iran and the second of a three-part conversation with Dr. Kaveh Ehsani about the social history of labor and oil. Dr. Ehsani, an associate professor at DePaul University, explores three distinct periods in Iran's social history, which coincided with the establishment of a market economy and capitalist framework. These periods include the emergence of capitalist industrialization, the integration of workers into this new system, and the subsequent generation's deepening involvement within the system. Dr. Ehsani takes a unique approach by examining the impact of the industry on the Iranian people rather than solely on the overall economy, providing a valuable and distinct perspective on the evolution of labor in Iran.


    24 min
  • Perspectives on Iran's Social History: Labor, Economy, and Life Before Oil

    This is the third episode of the Iran 1400 Project’s series on labor in Iran and the first of a three-part conversation with Dr. Kaveh Ehsani about the social history of labor and oil. Dr. Ehsani, an associate professor at DePaul University, defines social history and highlights its importance for Iran and the broader world. He provides insights into what labor relations and Iran’s economy looked like before the discovery of oil in the country, going into detail about the composition of Iran's population and life before Iranians were dependent on wages.


    20 min
  • Exploring the Convergence of Labor Protests and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement

    This is the second episode of the Iran 1400 Podcast’s series on labor in Iran. It is part two of a two-part conversation between our host Sydney Martin and doctoral student Ida Nikou about the labor movement in Iran since the Islamic revolution. Ida underscores the importance of comprehending labor protests as a prerequisite for understanding any protest movement in Iran and delves into the interconnectedness between labor protests and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. They also explore the development and transformation of Iran's economy and its underlying structure.

    35 min
  • Unraveling Iran's Labor Movement: From the Islamic Revolution to Today

    This is the first episode of the Iran 1400 Podcast’s series on labor in Iran. It is part one of a two-part conversation between our host Sydney Martin and doctoral student Ida Nikou about the labor movement in Iran since the Islamic revolution. Ida provides insights into the movement's history in each decade following the revolution, highlighting its adaptation to the evolving political landscape and changing leadership. Throughout the conversation, a wide range of topics are covered, from the impact of the Iran-Iraq War, to syndicalism, to the privatization of the economy.


    28 min
  • Exploring the Historical Foundations of Nationalism in Iran

    In the second installment of the Iran 1400 Project's series on nationalism in Iran, researcher Sydney Martin engages in a captivating conversation with Dr. Ali Ansari on the intricate interplay between Iranian history, nationalism, and identity. Their wide-ranging discussion covers themes such as the significance of Kaveh the Blacksmith, the fusion of religion and state, and the exploitation of nationalism by various leaders in Iran over the past century to consolidate their authority. Furthermore, they delve into the crucial role of Iranian nationalism in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. 


    29 min
  • Religious Nationalism in Iran: Shi'ism, the State, and Iranian Identity

    This is the first episode of the Iran 1400 Project's series on nationalism in Iran. Researchers Alexandra Braverman and Sydney Martin spoke with Dr. Meir Litvak about the role of religion in Iranian nationalism and Iranian identity. Dr. Litvak explained in detail how the Iranian state uses religion in order to promote a form of nationalism in line with its ideals. Examining the reaction of Iranians to this effort, he analyzed the many facets of Iranian identity, from Persian ethnolinguistic identity to Islamic religious identity. A timely discussion, Dr. Litvak also commented on the effect of mandatory hijab and state-sanctioned religion on the ongoing protests.

    30 min
  • Iran-China Relations: Geopolitics and Diplomacy

    This episode is the second part of a two-part conversation with Dr. William Figueroa about his article for the Iran 1400 Project entitled “Constitutionalism Across Asia: Iran and China.” Sydney Martin and Dr. Figueroa discuss Iran-China relations today and the geopolitical implications of the Iranian and Chinese constitutional revolutions discussed in the previous episode. Dr. Figueroa analyzes Iran and China’s often disproportionate relationship, providing his thoughts on a variety of aspects and events, from the  Iran-China 25-year agreement to the Russia-Ukraine War, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s recent trip to Taiwan.

    • Constitutionalism Across Asia: Iran and China: https://iran1400.org/discover/constitutionalism-across-asia-iran-and-china/
    • William Figueroa's dissertation: China and the Iranian Left: Transnational Networks of Social, Cultural, and Ideological Exchange, 1905–1979
    • Other papers by Dr. William Figueroa:

      • Performative Diplomacy: Iran–Republic of China Relations, 1920–1949
      • China and the Iranian Revolution: New Perspectives on Sino-Iranian Relations, 1965–1979
      • Follow Dr. Figueroa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IranChinaGuy

        Follow Iran 1400 Project on Twitter: https://twitter.com/iran1400project


        26 min

      About Iran 1400 Podcast

      From the publisher's feed

      Welcome to the Iran 1400 Project podcast, where we explore the past, present, and possible futures of Iran through informed dialogue, independent thought, and diverse voices. From historical insight to emerging narratives, we connect ideas to action to pursue a more just, inclusive, and forward-looking society. Join us as we rethink Iran’s trajectory — one conversation at a time.