A new edition of Roqe, featuring a deep dive into the pre-Islam history of Iran with acclaimed cultural historian Dr. Richard Foltz and an examination of how the common conflation of Iranians and Islam (and Islamism) is actually not historically supported. Dr. Foltz joins Jian to discuss Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, shedding light on the ancient Persian empires, Zoroastrianism, and the rich cultural heritage that predates Islamic influence. Dr. Foltz, a Canadian scholar with a PhD in Middle Eastern History from Harvard University and a professor at Concordia University in Montréal, brings his extensive knowledge of Iranian civilization and its far-reaching impacts on the broader region. Plus, Pegah and Jian convene for the Roqe Roundup to discuss the upcoming runoff election in Iran this Friday, and the numerous football games and football fever brewing.