In this episode, I discuss my experience growing up in Alabama as an Iranian. There is blatant racism, micro-aggressions, and years of self hate that comes with sharing this story. I reference Kaveh Akbar's poem, "Do You Speak Persian?" at the beginning of the episode, and I want to thank him for writing a poem that spoke to me so deeply. 

In this episode, Andres Benites will be sharing his experience of the impact that the city of Chicago had on his alcoholism and his journey towards sobriety.  

In this episode, I interview one of my childhood best friends, Julia Thiemonge. We discuss her experience growing up biracial in Huntsville, Alabama and the struggles that come with a mixed identity. We explore her experience with religion, growing up in a Christian household,  as well as her Korean roots. 

In this episode, we will be hearing from Juna Skrami, a 25-year-old Albian immigrant living in Chicago. She will be discussing her experience immigrating from Albania to the United States at a very young age, coming out to her family during college, and how her culture impacted her identity growing up. If you want to see more of Juna, follow her on Instagram at @junaskrami or click here: https://www.instagram.com/junaskrami/

In this Mother's Day special, I have invited my own mother, Shahla Poursaied, to discuss her experience growing up in Iran and the hardships she had to face moving to America. She discusses everything from the impact that 9/11 had on her and how it shaped her viewpoint to her favorite Persian cuisine. Tune into this special episode to listen in!