Palindrome Press

Palindrome Press

By Palindrome PressSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
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Palindrome Press episodes

  • S3 Ep 7: Shōgun & The Bear
    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about two Hulu series: Shōgun (2024) and The Bear (2022-Present).
    There are some spoilers here, so please be sure you've watched the first season of The Bear and the first three episodes of Shogun before listening. Topics covered briefly include: Seppuku / Harakiri | Feudal Japan | Bushido | Christian Missionaries | Protestants vs. Catholics | Cosmo (Krikoryan!) Jarvis | Hiroyuki Sanada | Richard Chamberlain.
    Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.
    33 min
  • S3 Ep 6: Palestine, Israel, Jerusalem, and Peace?
    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about the situation in Israel and Palestine. This is not an easy topic, and we are not here to solve any problems. We only hope that anyone with a conscience can speak up about the atrocities they see and realize that human lives are sacred regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. Speak up if you notice something that feels wrong, especially if it means speaking up against your own community. Don’t stay silent when you see or hear anything that is antisemitic or anti- Arab/ Muslim/ Middle Eastern. The world will never be a better place if we turn a blind eye to human suffering.
    Topics covered in this episode include the following: Israel | Palestine | Gaza | Jerusalem | Old City | Armenian Quarter | Yitzhak Rabin | Nakba (Catastrophe) | Dehumanization | Trauma | Message of Peace | Sacred Holy Sites | War | A Better Future | Human Rights | Stopping Messages of Hate | Maps of Palestine and Israel | DNA | Chimps/ Monkeys | Where and What is Heaven? | Dictators | Cats | Human Evolution | Zootopia | Terrible Russian Accents | John Malkovich (Rounders) | Constantine the Frog.
    What is the way forward for a city that houses three of the world's holiest sites? Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock. What is the world's responsibility in ensuring peace in the Middle East?
    Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.
    55 min
  • S3 Ep 5: Artsakh & Hrant Dink
    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about the humanitarian crisis and ethnic cleansing happening to the Armenian population of Artsakh under Azerbaijan's dictatorship. They also talk about two Hrant Dink documentaries.
    Topics covered in this episode include the following: Artsakh Blockade | Artsakh War | Refugees | Social Media | Racism | Hate Crimes | Armenian Unity | Prime Minister Pashinyan | Russian Influence | Azerbaijan's Dictatorship | Genocide | Sanctions | Armenian Assembly | Armenian National Committee | Samantha Power | Kim Kardashian | Serj Tankian | Fossil Fuels | Humanitarian Aid | USAID | Hrant Dink | Turkish Penal Code Article 301.
    These are the two documentaries about Hrant Dink:
    Memory Too Low For Words (Turkish w/ English subtitles)
    Hrant Dink, Heart of Two Nations (Western Armenian w/ Turkish subtitles)
    Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.
    1 hr 33 min
  • S3 Ep 4: Back From Armenia - Break It Down ... Breakdown

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about their Armenia trip. A portion of this episode is in Western Armenia (from 00:29:00-00:37:06). Topics covered in this episode include the following: Yerevan | Yandex | Middle Eastern Restaurants | Cuisine | Hospitality | Turkey | Don't go to Parvana | Things to Do in Armenia | Tours | Air France | Flying | Cab Drivers | Tipping | Stray Cats & Dogs | Matenadaran | History Museum of Armenia | Geghard Monastery | Zvartnots Cathedral | Garni Temple | St Hripsime | St Gayane | Lake Sevan | Multicultural | Airport Security / Passport Checks | Air Pollution | Mt Ararat | Soviet Architecture | Armenians in Armenia vs. Armenians from Diaspora | Homelessness | Vernissage | Haggling | Fountains | Traditional Armenian Meal | Brandy | Lavash Bread | Yerevan Cascade | Cafesjian Center for the Arts | Men Staring | Man Purses. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.

    1 hr 54 min
  • S3 Ep 3: Highway to Armenia

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about their upcoming Armenia trip. Topics covered in this episode include the following: Grant Applications | Vacations | Armenia Trip | Top Gun | Charlie & Stevie | Flying & Travel | Itineraries | Motorcycles (again!) | Boudica | Women in History | GG App | Khor Virap | St. Gregory the Illuminator | Vahe Berberian | Odzun, Armenia | Vineyards | Garni Temple | Real Estate | Taxes | Boston | Vote for Sela 2024 | Documentaries | Drug Abuse | Prescription Drugs vs. Illicit Drugs | Therapy | Trauma | Astrology | Generation X, Y, Z ... | The Hobbit | Birthdays | Vampires | Women, Men, & Aging | Van Cat | Women's World Cup | Australia | Philippines. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.


    1 hr 16 min
  • S3 Ep 2: Caramel (2007), Capernaum (2018), & 1982 (2019)

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) discuss three Lebanese movies: Caramel (2007 film directed by Nadine Labaki), Capernaum (2018 film directed by Nadine Labaki), and 1982 (2019 film directed by Oualid Mouaness and starring Nadine Labaki). Topics covered in this episode include the following: Beauty Salon | Women's Lives in Lebanon | Caramel - sweet or bitter | Sexual Repression | Aging | Hymenoplasty | Refugees | Child Marriage | Undocumented Workers | Human Trafficking | Elementary School | Lebanese Civil War | Young Love | Grendizer (Japanese animated series and manga) | Tigron | Magical Realism | Reality vs. Fantasy. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.

    1 hr 27 min
  • S3 Ep 1: The Promise (2016) & The Cut (2014)

    In recognition of Genocide Awareness Month, and specifically the Armenian Genocide, we are releasing this special episode on April 24.

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) discuss two movies about the Armenian Genocide. The Promise, directed by Terry George, is a historical epic war drama starring Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale, and Charlotte Le Bon. The Cut, directed by Fatih Akin, stars Tahar Rahim, Hindi Zahra, and Arsinee Khanjian. April 24 is the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. We hope that you'll take the time to listen to this episode, which is much longer than all of our previous ones. Make sure to watch these movies before listening, and share your thoughts in the comments section. Sela mentions or refers to several historical figures, books and movies during this episode, including the following: Henry Morgenthau Sr., Hasan Mazhar, Komitas, Raphael Lemkin, 40 Days of Musa Dagh, Recovering Armenia (book by Lerna Ekmekcioglu), My Grandmother (book by Fethiye Çetin), Mayrig (1991 French film by Henri Verneuil), The Lark Farm (2007 Italian film, La masseria delle allodole, screenplay/ book written by Antonia Arslan), Bird's Nest Orphanage (Lebanon). Other movies and stories that we highly recommend but weren't mentioned by name here include Aurora's Sunrise (film about Aurora Mardiganian), and Grandma's Tattoos (documentary on YouTube).
    Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.

    1 hr 47 min
  • S2 Ep 12: Identity

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about negotiation, car buying, musicals, and soul searching. This is the last episode for this season. Discussion topics include: Therapy | Psychology | Negotiation Course | Harvard Law School | Budgets/ Taxes | Armenian Groups | Constantinople | The Promise (2016) | Levity | Cultures | History | Artsakh | Armenian Assembly of America | Creative Arts | Lahmajun (Armenian pizza) | Immigrant Communities | Identity | Mythology | Christianity / Paganism | Artists | Traditions | Symbology | Hammurabi (law) | Political Phone Banking / Advocacy | Listening | Co-host | Leadership | Gender / Social Roles | Lebanese | Middle Eastern | Car Buying | Soul Searching | Meaning of Life | Material World | Simplicity | Cutting Back | Privilege | Awakening | Existentialism | Circle of Life | Guilt | Carbon Footprint | Fuel Efficiency | Simplicity |  International | Memory | Musicals | Anastasia | Costume Making. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.

    1 hr 17 min
  • S2 Ep 11: Greatest Singers of All Time?

    Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan) talk about the Rolling Stone list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.  Sela goes through all 200 names by asking Greg if he knows them or not. This is the first time he is hearing this entire list, and you will be surprised (or not!) by who he doesn't recognize. Discussion topics include: Rolling Stone | AI | Marketing Ploys | Opposites | Michael Stipe / REM | Florence Welch / Florence & the Machine | Madonna | Celine Dion | Stevie Nicks | George Michael | Enya | IU | Jungkook |  Selena | Umm Kulthum | Willie Nelson | Kelly Clarkson | Carrie Underwood | Bjork | Lady Gaga | Eddie Vedder | Awkwafina | Tits or Toots | Tom & Jerry | Adele | Marijuana | ABBA | La Bouche | Ace of Base | Aqua - Barbie Girl | Paula Abdul | Jazz | Opera | Love Actually, Emma Thompson / Joni Mitchell Scene | Garbage / Shirley Manson | Charles Aznavour | Rammstein | Du Hast | Lacuna Coil | Shrek | Graduate Degrees | Negotiation | Harvard Law School | Creative Writing | PhDs. Sela's favorites from this list of 200 include: Sade, Amy Winehouse, Donna Summer, Mariah Carey, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Selena, PJ Harvey, George Michael, Taylor Swift, Curt Cobain, Bjork, Aaliyah.  Greg's favorites: Chris Cornell, George Michael, Elton John, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury. If interested, Sela added a special Spotify playlist, Where Rolling Stone Failed. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. Please make sure to also follow us on social media.

    1 hr 26 min
  • S2 Ep 10: The Women- Part 2 (in Western Armenian)

    The conversation continues ...... 

    Sela has an intimate chat with her older sisters and mom in Armenian (with occasional Arabic, French, English, and Turkish). Make sure to listen to part 1 first before continuing to this episode.  Let us know what you think and thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising so far. To support our work, reach out, subscribe, and let us know what you love about our podcast. ————Follow Sela Nazani on IG/ Twitter @PalindromePress, and Greg on IG @gpvahan & @mythologyandbeyond


    Oh, and laughter is the best medicine. :) 

    34 min

About Palindrome Press

From the publisher's feed

Writer Sela Nazani and illustrator “Greg” GP Vahan discuss their projects and the overall creative process in their books. Unscripted, they discuss their Armenian and Lebanese backgrounds, love for music, movies, art and literature.