Shirin Conversations

On today's episode, I am joined by Shadi Pourkashef, a Mother, Composer, Conductor, Teacher, Founder, and Fierce Activist. 
Shadi wants to create an impact in this world, and her true passion is to combat bullying by creating kinder and safer environments in schools through her non-profit, the Ability Awareness Project. You can see her pushing that further with her work as a Goodwill Ambassador in Laguna Beach and by teaching music at her new studio Anami where she provides private lessons that dive deeper into her student's abilities and talents.

On today’s episode, I am joined by Zahra Tabatabai, the founder of a Brooklyn Based, first-generation, and woman-owned beer company, Back Home Beer. Zahra wasn’t always a professional brewer. A former journalist, writing for Fox News and ESPN, she started brewing in her Brooklyn apartment motivated by stories of her late grandfather’s home brewing operations in Shiraz. What began as a hobby turned into something more. She found a way to educate others on the richness of our Iranian Culture through ingredients used in her beer, all the while staying true to her brand’s mission of empowering women, supporting immigrants, and taking care of the community she’s a part of. 

On today’s episode, I am joined by Zahra Golafshani, a Los Angeles Based, award-winning writer and director working on an upcoming TV movie for a Canadian Television Network. Zahra is passionate about her craft and believes that a project must speak to you before you commit to it and if there is anything she’s learned from her journey in life and directing is that we should not escape what we fear or try and change ourselves to fit in. She speaks about accepting who we are, what the meaning of “home” is, and why we should all lean into areas within ourselves that could set us all apart. 

On today’s episode, I am joined by Roya Shariat, the Senior Manager of Social Impact at Glossier. Her career trajectory has always been focused on doing good with a degree in Economics, Middle Eastern Studies, and Social and Public Policy from NYU mixed with parents who have also dedicated their lives in the social impact space - there is no denying Roya’s destiny to change the world. However, Roya reminds us that life is precious and fragile, and if there is one thing we’ve learned this past year, it’s just that. 

On today’s episode, I am joined by Mina Khanaman, a Civil Engineer turned sound healer, reiki practitioner, sacred plant medicine herbalist, and holistic life coach. Mina created her company Moksha Elements after leaving her 10-year career in engineering to help others find their purpose and align with their authentic self. Mina shares with us how each of us has a specific gift and when we learn to love ourselves and accept who we are - as we are - our potential is limitless.

On today’s episode, I am joined by Sepideh Dadsetan, a real estate agent who has spent a decade specializing in energy efficiency and green homes. She considers herself a comfort consultant helping her clients find their dream homes and creating one that meets their specific needs both visually and sustainably. Sepideh not only shares stories about Green Homes with us but also about the homes left behind… as she speaks to me for the first time about her experience leaving Iran in a not-so-traditional way after the revolution. 

On today’s episode, I am joined by Yalda Kazemi. Yalda is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, stylist, and writer of her new book Unapologetic Truths: The realities of Postpartum we don’t talk about. Her personal experience with postpartum mental illness has led her on a mission to be a voice for mothers who suffer in silence, to raise awareness and break stigmas associated with mental illness. At her company stylEsteem, she merges style and mental health to empower and educate individuals to look and feel confident while using her strategies as a method to uplift one’s mood. 

On today’s episode, I am joined by Kiana Anvaripour, the Chief Marketing Officer at Sweet Flower, the leading cannabis retailer based in Los Angeles. Kiana holds a degree in Fashion Design from Otis College and has worn many hats since graduating. Holding roles in PR, Sales, and Business Development. She has founded two companies, a luxury shapewear brand DMondaine worn by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, and co-founded a virtual styling platform, FOVO, with the founder of Zappos. As the Queen of Reinvention, she is now re-educating different generations on the benefits of Cannabis.

On this episode of Shirin Conversations, I am joined by Roya Khadjavi, an independent curator, producer, and founder of Roya Khadjavi Projects based in NYC. She has always wanted a career that gives back, and she primarily focuses on the work of young artists in Iran and beyond. Her project's mission is to create a US platform for emerging artists by sharing their stories and experiences through their art while demonstrating what happens when power and culture are used to bring us together.

On this episode of Shirin Conversations, Marjaneh speaks to Dr. Sheva, a Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Coach focusing on empowering young adults, particularly women, on taking the wheel when it comes to living their best life, silencing their inner critic and why the relationship we have ourselves is the one we should always prioritize.