Roqe

In this episode, Jian opens with the essay Survival Is Not Victory, challenging the growing narrative that the Islamic Republic has somehow emerged triumphant. While the regime remains in power, many of the underlying conditions that fueled the largest uprising in decades - economic collapse, repression, corruption and widespread public frustration - have only intensified.

Joining Jian are Lisa Daftari and Shayan Samii for a wide-ranging conversation on Iran's political future, the IRGC's expanding role, international diplomacy, the opposition movement, and why the story of Iran is far from over.

This episode is brought to you with the support of:

Avoca Chocolates - https://avocachocolates.com (@avocachocolates)

Thank you for listening and for supporting independent media.

Vessbroz have become one of the biggest Iranian success stories in global electronic music. But behind the stages, festivals and billions of online views is a remarkable story of two brothers from Isfahan whose lives were shaped by exile, resilience, family and an enduring connection to Iran.

In this conversation, Jian sits down with Armia and Arsham for one of their rare long-form interviews, exploring their childhood in Iran, discovering dance music, the years they were separated between Iran and Malaysia, overcoming racism, navigating fame, and why they've chosen to speak publicly about the ongoing human rights crisis in their homeland.

Recorded before this week's executions in Isfahan, the conversation includes the brothers' reflections on the young people who were then on death row and the responsibility they feel to raise awareness internationally.

This episode also includes Jian's reflections on Roqe Live 6, the latest developments in Iran, and community announcements for listeners in Toronto.

This episode is brought to you with the support of:

Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca

Tikatel - https://tikatel.ca

Instagram:

@JianGhomeshi

A very special edition of Roqe - recorded live at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

Jian Ghomeshi opens the show with a personal talk about his family's roots in southern Iran, the hardships facing people in Khuzestan and across the country, and the enduring idea behind Roqe: wherever we live, and however much we may disagree, Iranians remain connected.

Then, Smart Pegah Ganji joins Jian for a live Roqe Roundup before an extraordinary lineup of guests and performances.

Ghazal Piano performs live. Shally Zomorodi discusses journalism, Iran and the complicated expectations placed on prominent Iranian voices. Gdaal performs a brand-new track and speaks about protest, unity and the responsibilities of Persian rap artists. Mahta Gharaei joins Jian to discuss karate, activism, law school and Cats of Purcia. Darius Azar performs and talks about blending Persian music with jazz, soul and rock.

And Dr. Tina Parsa - a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and one of the most recognizable Iranian voices online - makes her first visit to Canada. She speaks with Jian about living and working in Iran until very recently, the psychological state of Iranians, counselling people inside and outside the country, and her memorable observation that "being Iranian is not for beginners."

Finally, Roqe presents the fifth-ever Roqe Media Icon Award to the legendary Shahram Shabpareh.

Mayor David West, Amir Firooz, Babak Amini and Shally Zomorodi join the tribute before Shahram receives the award and sits down with Jian to reflect on six decades of music, his extraordinary longevity, his hopes for the future and what Iran means to him today.

The evening ends with a special performance of "To Mitooni" featuring Shahram Shabpareh, Houman Javid, Mehran Aminian, Ghazal Piano and Heraud Javid.

This episode is brought to you with the support of Quasar Homes (@quasarhomes), Dina Shoraka and Harvey Kalles Real Estate (@dinashorakahomes), Beigi Law (@beigilaw), Anabel Sharouyan and Affinity Mortgage Solutions (@anabel_sharouyan), Forough Catering (@forough_ghayedi), Persian Empire Distillery (@persianempiredistillery), iWelcome (@iwelcome.ca), Famluxy (@famluxy), Ontario Camera (@ontariocamera), Avoca Chocolates (@avocachocolates), and Sano & Onas Heating (@ontarioairservices).

Should Canada reopen its embassy in Tehran?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has reignited a debate that many believed ended when Canada closed its embassy in Tehran in 2012.

In the opening essay, Jian asks: "Reopening the Canadian embassy in Tehran? Really?" He argues that an embassy is never simply a building. It is recognition. It is legitimacy. It is a message.

Joining Jian are Avideh Motmaen-Far, journalist, political commentator and President of the Council of Iranian Canadians, and Ardeshir Zarezadeh, lawyer, former political prisoner and Director of the International Center for Human Rights in Iran.

They discuss why the embassy was originally closed, whether engagement amounts to endorsement, the unresolved legacy of Flight PS752, the IRGC's terrorist designation in Canada, transnational repression against Iranian-Canadians and who would ultimately benefit from Canada returning to Tehran.

Plus, details on Roqe Live 6, coming this Saturday, July 18.

This episode is brought to you with the support of Avoca Chocolates.

Website: https://avocachocolates.com

Instagram: @avocachocolates

Thanks for listening to Roqe.

A new edition of Roqe featuring Jian’s opening essay, “The Funeral as a Weapon,” and a feature interview with Iranian-British journalist and documentary filmmaker Bozorgmehr Sharafedin.

As the Islamic Republic stages the public funeral spectacle for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Jian asks what the world is really watching: grief, propaganda, coercion, political theatre - or all of the above?

Bozorgmehr joins from Washington, DC, to discuss the regime’s claims of “millions” in the streets, what journalists can and cannot verify, how state funerals function as propaganda, and what this moment reveals about succession, legitimacy, and the fragility of power in Iran.

Plus: Roqe Live 6 is coming July 18th to the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

This episode opens with Jian Ghomeshi's essay, "AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED," a commentary on the Islamic Republic's attempt to sell a narrative of stability and normalcy to the world following the recent conflict, and why history cannot simply be rewritten.

Jian is then joined by Dr. Shahram Kholdi, followed by Bijan Kian for an in-depth discussion on where Iran stands today.

Has the Islamic Republic successfully shifted the global conversation from vulnerability to stability? Has the MOU changed the way the world views the regime? Why has so much Western coverage embraced a narrative of normalcy? And what does the reaction to Team Melli reveal about the growing gap between how Iran is perceived abroad and how many Iranians experience it?

Guests:

• Dr. Shahram Kholdi - Historian and Political Analyst

• Bijan Kian - Iranian-American business leader, former senior U.S. government official and longtime Republican strategist

Sponsored by:

• Avoca Chocolates

Also in this episode:

• Roqe Live 6 returns on Saturday, July 18th at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts featuring Shahram Shabpareh, Tina Parsa, Shally Zomorodi, Mahta Gharaei, Dariush Azar and Pegah Ganji.

Thank you for listening to Roqe.

For months, events surrounding Iran have moved at a relentless pace. In the midst of that, some remarkable conversations had to wait their turn.

This is one of them.

In this episode, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes acclaimed composer, producer and arranger Ramin Zamani to the Roqe studio for a fascinating discussion about music, exile, creativity, discipline and authenticity.

Long before he became one of the key architects of modern Persian pop music, Ramin Zamani left Iran to pursue classical guitar and composition. His dream was not chart success but film scoring. Yet through a series of unexpected turns, including a chance encounter with Kamran of Kamran & Hooman, he found himself helping shape the sound of Persian music for a generation.

The conversation explores:

• Life under the Islamic Republic

• Leaving Iran for artistic freedom

• Classical music and creative discipline

• The dream of film composition

• The making of Persian pop music

• Collaborations with Shahbal Shabpareh and Dariush

• The role of mentorship

• The creative process

• Autotune and authenticity

• Artificial intelligence and the future of music

The episode also features Jian's opening essay:

WE ARE BETWEEN CHAPTERS

Sponsored by:

• Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca

Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.

Produced by Roqe Media.

Broadcaster, actor, singer and cultural commentator Ehsan Karami joins Jian Ghomeshi in studio for a special conversation in both English and Persian.

Together they discuss the current state of the Iranian freedom movement, the reaction to the new memorandum of understanding between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic, the ongoing debate surrounding Team Melli at the FIFA World Cup, and Ehsan's acclaimed theatrical production Talangor.

An honest and reflective conversation about politics, culture, identity, exile, disappointment, resilience and what may come next for Iranians around the world.

Sponsored by:

• Quasar Homes

• Avoca Chocolates

A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic has ignited outrage, disappointment, and fierce debate among many Iranians around the world.

Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Shayan Samii, Picasso Moin, and Kiarash Kian for a discussion about the deal, the prospect of sanctions relief and a reported $300 billion reconstruction package, and whether the agreement represents a diplomatic success - or a major setback for those hoping to see meaningful change in Iran.

The panel also examines the ongoing controversy surrounding Team Melli at the FIFA World Cup, discussing whether support for Iran's national football team can be separated from the politics of the Islamic Republic and why all three guests have chosen not to cheer for Team Melli during this tournament.

Plus Jian's opening essay:

"WE KNOW WHERE THE $300 BILLION WON'T GO."

Guests:

• Shayan Samii

• Picasso Moin

• Kiarash Kian

Host: Jian Ghomeshi

Sponsored by:

• Stellar Law

• Quasar Homes

The World Cup has begun and Team Melli has finally taken the field.

Following Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, Jian Ghomeshi is joined by Atbin Arian, Seena Ghaznavi and Mehrdad Ahmadpour to discuss the atmosphere surrounding the opening match, the presence of Lion and Sun flags inside the stadium, FIFA's role in shaping the broadcast narrative, and the complicated feelings many Iranians have toward supporting the national team under the Islamic Republic.

Before the panel, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled "The Cameras Looked Away" about television, censorship, narrative control, and what happens when millions of viewers are shown one version of reality while another exists just outside the frame.

Sponsored by Avoca Chocolates.