Roqe

Another new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series featuring powerful Iranian voices from across the diaspora on the movement for change. Feature guests include actor and human rights campaigner, Shiva Negar, joining us from Los Angeles, and martial arts champion and karate star, Nassim Varasteh live in the Roqe Studio, on her recent campaign to bring awareness to executed Iranian athlete Mehdi Karami. Plus, Jian launches the show with a heartfelt call to action on the imprisoned award-winning Iranian filmmaker, Jafar Panahi, who has begun a hunger strike to protest his treatment as a political prisoner. And the Roqe Roundtable convenes with regulars Pegah and Shaya.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series with feature guests including anthemic singer Saba Zameni live in the Roqe Studio for an interview and riveting performance accompanied by Shaya and Jian, and journalist and cartoonist, Nikahang Kowsar, who joins us once again from Washington DC to discuss the environmental crisis in Iran and the latest dynamics of the ongoing battle for freedom against the Islamic Republic regime. Plus, Jian begins the show with an essay that imagines how a new free Iran could set an international standard for national unity. As well, the Roqe regulars convene for the Roundtable and discuss the news of drone strikes in Iran, the discontent amongst Iranians for U.S. special representative Robert Malley, and the most recent viral videos about Iran.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series: Feature guests include Iranian-Canadian guitar maestro, composer and musician Babak Amini, who has been very active politically in recent months, and soprano opera singer Golrokh Aminian, both live in the Roqe studio. Jian begins the show with an essay suggesting that a revolution in Iran today is not only about the future but about returning to a proud pre-Ayatollah past. Plus, the Roqe regulars convene for the roundtable and discuss a new interview with Reza Pahlavi, the lackluster Fajr Film Festival currently taking place in Tehran, and the most recent viral videos about Iran.

A big new edition of Roqe from The Uprising series including feature interviews with legendary photo-journalist Reza Deghati in Baku, and award-winning composer and musician Hamid Saeidi in LA. Jian starts the show with an audio essay about the importance of staying united in the face of forces trying to turn Iranians against each other, and the regulars convene for the Roqe Roundtable to discuss the latest from the EU, the social media momentum around Reza Pahlavi, the laughable “influential” conference held in Iran, and more.

A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with acclaimed poet and activist, Hila Sedighi, recorded in-person with Jian in the Middle East last week. Hila makes the case for regime change in Iran and gives a personal perspective on the horrific conditions that political prisoners face in Iran right now and the trauma they are left with. Plus award-winning psychotherapist Shirin Amani Azeri joins from London to reflect on her remote work with political prisoners in Iran at present. In addition, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled, “Ok, Canadian government: You’re out of excuses. Finally put the IRGC on the terrorist list,” and discusses the European Parliament decision about the same issue as well as the new social media momentum around Reza Pahlavi.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series focused on the ongoing movement for regime change in Iran. Feature guests include actor and activist, Navid Negahban in Lisbon, and social media influencer and professional coach, Dr. Shahab Anari in the Roqe Studio. Plus Jian starts the show off with an essay about the many fronts upon which the new revolution is being fought, and the Roqe Roundtable convenes with Darya Emami to discuss the huge demonstration at the EU in Strasbourg today, the latest executions in Iran, and the prospective coalition of opposition leaders taking shape.

A special edition of Roqe commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the downing of flight PS752 by the Islamic Republic regime. Jian is joined for an emotional feature interview in the Roqe Studio by Amir Arsalani, who lost his sister, Evin, as well as his brother-in-law and niece on that flight.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the ongoing Uprising series, and the first program of 2023. Jian kicks off with an opening essay about revolutionaries being optimists and the importance of embracing hope, and then welcomes two feature guests to take stock of the recent months in Iran and discuss expectations and aspirations for the coming year: Broadcaster Kambiz Hosseini, host of the popular show show, “Paradox,” on Radio Farda, joins from his home studio with his unique and candid style, and writer and performer Banafsheh Taherian, host of the “Chai with Banafsheh” podcast, joins Jian in the Roqe Studio.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series, focusing on the ongoing revolution in Iran and the movement for change. Feature guests include:

Award-winning journalist and physician, Gilda Sahebi in Germany

Iranian-Canadian artist, Ebrin Bagheri live in the Roqe Studio

Journalist Mahsa Mortazavi joining the Roqe Roundtable

Jian delivers his opening audio essay about Iran’s dubious new distinction of being ranked #1 as the world’s worst jailer of journalists. Plus, the Roqe Roundtable convenes with regulars Shaya and Pegah - as well as Mahsa - addressing the long-awaited action being taken by the ICAO (international civil aviation organization) with regards to the downing of flight PS752, the downfall of the Iranian currency, the possibilities of an opposition coalition, media guidelines in dealing with someone who has died from suicide, and more.

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series, kicking off with an opening audio essay from Jian imploring Iranians in the diaspora to keep focused and active in supporting the revolution in Iran - a theme that runs through the whole episode. Feature guests include:

Academic and activist Sana Ebrahimi (Chicago)

Economist and sanctions expert Dr. Saeed Ghasseminejad (New York)

Social media star and engineer Amirnezam Samadabadi in the Roqe Studio

Plus, the Roqe Roundtable convenes with regulars Pegah and Shaya, to discuss the latest from Iran, commendable actions being taken by German politicians, an act of defiance by Iranian chess star Sara Khademalsharieh, the downfall of the Iranian currency, and more.