Roqe

Featuring interviews with two prominent Iranian-American surgeons. First, Dr. Abbas Ardehali, renowned for his pioneering work as the first US surgeon to perform a "breathing lung" transplant, and then, Dr. Sina Joorabchi, an influential ENT specialist and facial plastic surgeon popularly known as Doctor Sina.

A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with Kamyar. The popular Iranian-French hitmaker, singer, writer and instrumentalist joins Jian from Las Vegas to discuss his successful career from jazz singer to Black Cats member to solo pop star. In a detailed and comprehensive conversation, Kamyar also talks about his bouts of depression, his activism, and his strong identification with Iran and being Iranian. Plus Pegah joins Jian to discuss a festival weekend, the anxieties of doing interviews in a second language, and the lack of tact that some Iranians display when coming up to podcasters who MAY have gained weight in their face.

A special new edition of Roqe focused on the confusing culture of drinking in Iran. We all know that alcohol is officially forbidden under Islam. But we also know that most of the Islamic world, including Iran, has a long history that is drenched in drinking and culturally entwined with the consumption, celebration, romance, and medicinal practise of wine, beer, and alcohol drinking. So how do we make sense of this? Historian Dr. Rudi Matthee, author of the newly published book, "Angels, Tapping at the Wine Shop's Door: A Comprehensive History of Alcohol in the Islamic World," joins Jian to walk through the paradoxical past and present of alcohol and the Islamic world - including Iran under the Ayatollahs. Plus, a very special Roqe Roundup with Captain Reza and Smart Pegah discussing alcohol, hip hop lyrics and the latest from inside Iran including the latest reinforcement of hijab laws.

A dynamic new edition of Roqe focused on language, and the particular proposition: “Does having an accent make life harder?” Jian is joined by professor, author and President of the Linguistics Association of Canada, Dr. Jila Ghomeshi, for a vibrant conversation about accents (with some sibling teasing interlaced!). Jila, with over two decades of experience in the field of Iranian linguistics, discusses how the way we speak can affect the way we are seen, plus the intricacies of accents, the complexities of language, and the effects both can have on personal and professional lives. Plus, Pegah and Jian read through some of the many comments on this topic from the Roqe audience, and discuss the latest news from inside and outside Iran.

A dynamic new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with legendary Iranian-American journalist, Homa Sarshar. Ms Sarshar joins Jian from Los Angeles for an in-depth conversation covering her latest lifetime achievement award (presented at Stanford University last week), her thoughts on the future of the Iranian community around the world, and how media and journalists should deal with the prevarications of the Islamic Republic representatives (a subject that leads to some disagreement with Jian). Plus, broadcaster, producer and musician, Maral Mohammadi is live in the Roqe Studio for the Roundup chat ranging from her first experience in Canada to joining “Threads” to the actions of the Iranian government. And Pegah recaps some of the latest news from inside and outside Iran, while Jian tries to explain 90’s grunge music metaphors with limited success.

A special culinary-focused edition of Roqe with a dynamic debate amongst a panel of food enthusiasts and health experts addressing the simple but disputed question: “Is Persian Food Healthy?” Panelists joining Jian include Iranian-Canadian Doctor of Natural Medicine, and Ayurveda specialist, Dr. Rosa Moradi in the Roqe Studio, Iranian- American chef and culinary health coach, Tara Radcliffe in Los Angeles, and the founder of OvenHug and co-producer of the Modern Persian Food podcast, Bita Arabian in the Bay Area. The panel explores the health benefits of staples like saffron, pomegranate, and fresh herbs while demystifying some common misconceptions surrounding Persian cuisine…and the chat goes to some very fun and uncommon areas. Plus, Savvy Roham, Super P, and Smart Pegah are all present for an energetic Roundtable to discuss their personal takes on the topic of Persian food being healthy, Robert Malley abandoning his position, the continued fight for justice by the association of families of PS752, and more.

On a new edition of Roqe, the "khoresht" vs "khoresh" debate is in full flow (how is it said??), and Jian speaks to two talented visual artists who each share their personal stories and the profound influence that creativity has had on their lives. First, the Mohammad Rasoulipour, an acclaimed Iranian-American visual artist and technologist with a unique vision that intertwines history and art joins Jian to discuss his groundbreaking project, "Eranshahr," that meticulously reconstructs visual images of famous Iranian figures from the past through stunning renderings based on archaeological evidence. Then Aryasb Feiz, an Iranian animator and creative force who captivated audiences with his short film “Mr. Indifferent” - an animated film that went viral in the last couple of years - joins Jian from Tehran to discuss his upcoming project “Tomorrow,” his role as a character animator, screenwriter and director and the challenges of his work within Iran. Plus, Parissa, Pegah and Jian have an...animated...conversation about the correct spelling and pronunciation of “khoresh(t)” (stew) in Persian, and on the Roundup the team deals with the latest in news from inside and outside of Iran, including the new online campaign started by Iranian university students, a commemorative street sign put up in Ottawa to remember Mahsa Amini, and more.

A special edition remembering the late Iranian-American star scientist and NASA veteran, Dr. Firouz Naderi, featuring distinguished constitutional law expert, and pioneering human rights attorney, Banafsheh Akhlaghi in San Francisco, acclaimed technologist, entrepreneur, and former NASA scientist, Mehrzad Sajjadi in Chennai, India, and veteran Iranian-Canadian journalist Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati in the Roqe Studio. Jian begins the show with a heartfelt essay honouring Firouz Naderi, and setting the tone, commemorating the remarkable contributions of a visionary individual in the Iranian diaspora. Plus, Super P and Smart Pegah convene for the Roundup to discuss new atrocities inside Iran, the latest report on why the EU can, in fact, list the IRGC as a terrorist organization, and the “Liberty for Iran” event in Los Angeles.

A big new episode of Roqe kicking off with an audio tribute to a Persian icon with Jian’s essay entitled, “An Ode to Googoosh.” Then feature interviews with LGBTQ-centered surgeon and essential online resource, Dr. Alireza Hamidian in Philadelphia, and acclaimed multi-genre cellist Mahsa Ghassemi, joining Jian in the Roqe Studio, for a conversation and performance amidst her participation in the current Googoosh tour. Plus, artist Naghmeh Jah on commemorating Kian Pirfalak this weekend - on what would have been his 10th birthday, and Pegah and Roham join a Roqe Roundup that includes remembering the late Iron Sheik, who passed away this week.

A big and diverse episode of Roqe including a feature interview with young Chinese-Iranian-American piano virtuoso, composer, and internet star, Joshua Kyan Aalampour. Joshua joins Jian from New York to tell his story of teaching himself to play piano and performing at the Lincoln Centre before turning 20 years-old. Also, award winning Iranian-Swedish psychologist and author Shirin Amani Azari returns to Roqe to discuss her new book entitled “Once Upon a Time in Uppsala” about growing up as an Iranian immigrant girl in Sweden. And, Dr. Nima Taefeshokhr joins Jian from Ottawa to discuss his latest scientific report on academic suppression in Iran during the latest revolution. Plus, Pegah, Roham and Jian convene for the Roqe Roundup to address the surprising news of South Korea releasing funds to Iran, viral images of Iranian model Mahlagha Jaberi and her choice of clothing at Cannes, the controversial video of a powerlifting championship involving Ukraine and Iran, and the name of a pianist who is famous to Iranians but unknown to Jian.