Roqe

A feature interview with Iranian-American plastic surgeon and entrepreneur, Dr. Sheila Nazarian, fresh from her Emmy nomination for the Netflix series, “Skin Decision: Before and After.” Sheila joins Jian to discuss why plastic surgery is not always about Instagram-driven images of beauty, but can be important in building self-esteem, confidence and personal empowerment. She discusses her practise in Beverly Hills, as well as her story of being a Jewish refugee fleeing Iran with her family after the revolution, her ambitions and routine, and her take on the Persian interest in surgery, and the Iranian obsession with nose jobs. Plus the Roqe Team pores over the Letters of the Week regarding the “Explaining Khuzestan” episode.

A special edition of Roqe focusing on the environmental crisis in the Khuzestan region of Iran, and the bloody crackdown on those raising their voices for the basic human needs of clean water. Jian is joined by scientist and writer, Kaveh Madani, who was prophetic in coining the term “water bankruptcy” in regards to Iran long before the latest crisis. He discusses the roots of the mismanagement of water distribution in Iran, environmental justice, and the paradox of deprivation and underdevelopment in oil-rich Khuzestan. Then Ahvaz-born journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Kayhan newspaper (1972-1979) Amir Taheri joins Jian from Paris to discuss the pattern of brutal clampdown in Khuzestan and across Iran on those protesting the current regime, and the elements of a failed state.

A feature interview with queer Iranian-American personality and musician, Kayvon Zand. Kayvon joins Jian from Jersey City, USA, for a heartfelt and candid discussion about growing up Persian and non-binary queer in “redneck” North Carolina, the challenge of coming out to his Iranian family, working as a male model and then a provocative live performer, witnessing the growth and strength of the LGBTQ community among Iranians and in the larger global community, and building a large social media following. Plus the Roqe Team shares sadness and solidarity with Iranians fighting for the basic needs of water and resources in Khouzestan.

A feature interview with award-winning Iranian-British broadcaster, fashion designer, artist and producer, Behzad Bolour - his first ever long-form interview in English. Behzad has been a staple of cultural programming on BBC Persian radio and television for over 30 years. He joins Jian from London for a wide-ranging and animated conversation about his efforts to preserve Persian culture, his presenting style, his early years in Iran, and his relationship with Iranians in the diaspora and back home since being in Britain and at BBC for the last few decades. Plus, the Roqe Team discusses Covid tests and pores through the Letters of the Week.

A rhythmic edition of Roqe featuring two rising star Persian percussionists in different parts of the planet. Iranian-Indian musician Hamta Baghi joins Jian from Pune, India, to talk about her love of drums, her move from Iran, and becoming the first Iranian woman who plays Indian beats on the Daf. Then Iranian-Australian conga and Cajon star Nasrine Rahmani chimes in from Madrid, Spain, on growing up enamored of Latin music and percussion, and finding her groove and musical home in Cuba and Spain. Plus the Roqe Team discusses the proper Persian terms for attractive men and women, and Kyan delivers a thirst-quenching new edition of “It’s All Persian To Us”.

A feature interview with Iranian-American former CEO-turned-popular social media commentator, Farhad Kashani. He has has made it his mission to travel to every United Nations recognized country in the world. Farhad joins Jian from San Francisco to discuss living life with a passion, still seeing himself as a kid, his advice as the author of 8 books on management and lifestyle, his time as a pilot and an automobile journalist, finding himself whilst travelling to over 200 countries, and his newfound status as an instagram influencer with over 100k followers. Plus the Roqe Team reads the Letters of the Week and Jian licks his wounds after another tough lost for England in world football.

An ebullient episode including a feature interview with legendary Iranian-American photographer, Firooz Zahedi. Firooz joins Jian from Los Angeles to tell the story of how he went from an Iranian kid born in Tehran in 1949, to a protege of pop art luminary Andy Warhol by the mid-1970s in the USA, and then the personal photographer and close friend of Elizabeth Taylor. Firooz recounts his trip to Iran with Taylor, his eye for photography, his more recent work with everyone from Barbra Streisand to Oprah Winfrey to Angelina Jolie, and his art direction and photography for the famous poster for Pulp Fiction. Plus the Roqe Team convenes to discuss Persian phone greetings, and the imminent Euro 2021 Final.

A feature interview with Iranian-Canadian guitarist and composer, Maneli Jamal. With a new album about to be released, Maneli joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to discuss the impact that moving twenty times before the age of 18 had on his unique musical sound, his instrument as his refuge, lessons learned from his artistic and political Persian parents, getting deported from the United States with his family after 9/11, and finding his identity and sound as an award-winning guitarist living in Canada. Plus the Roqe Team pores through the Letters of the Week.

A feature interview with renowned scientist, Dr Reza Moridi, the first-ever politician of Iranian descent elected to any legislature in Canada or the United States. Dr Moridi joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for a wide-ranging conversation about his life including his 11 years in the Ontario government, biculturalism on Canada Day, his youth in Urmia, working as a Professor in Iran during the 1979 revolution, his move to Canada and time as a prominent scientist, representing the Iranian community in office, and the tragic loss of his son in 2014. Plus, the Roqe Team presides over a new edition of “It’s All Persian to Us” and Jian challenges Shaya to learn more Canadianisms.

This episode is brought to you with the generous support of Katy Kavandi Immigration Services Inc.

A feature interview with Iranian-American neurologist Dr Shahin Nouri, founder and director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at the New York Presbyterian - Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Dr Nouri is suffering from a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma as well as severe immunodeficiency, and his only hope of survival is a stem cell transplant from the blood of a healthy compatible donor, within the next few weeks. That donor is most likely to be found amongst fellow people of Iranian descent. Dr Nouri joins Jian for a moving and difficult conversation about his current plight, managing hope and fear, and his campaign to address the underrepresentation of Middle Eastern people in stem cell donations and information.

To help Shahin’s cause and become a stem cell donor, please visit: https://www.shahinswings.org/