Women, Life, Freedom: Grief and Power In Iran, with Nazanin Nour

What’s happening in Iran and why are you hearing about it so much? 

This week on Here After, Iranian-American actor & writer Nazanin Nour on the protests unfolding in Iran, grief in the Iranian global community, and how the whole world has the power to fight for women, life, and freedom. This episode is so special - I need you to listen. 

In this episode we cover: 

What’s happening in Iran and why the whole world is watching

Why violence thrives in secrecy (no matter where it’s happening)

Grief and guilt in the Iranian diaspora: what it’s like having friends and family members inside Iran (including how well meaning friends don’t quite get it)

The power of solidarity - how being SEEN gives you the courage to continue fighting

The ways mourning and protest are woven together through Persian culture

Tangible actions you can take to support the people of Iran

Announcement: want to become a grief-informed therapist? Registration is open now for Megan Devine’s 6 month grief care professional program. Details at this link. 

Notable quotes: 

“Outrage is an act of grief.” - Nazanin Nour

“The guilt I feel for leaving unscathed thanks to the country of my birth has never left me.” - Nazanin Nour

“Hope is watching the Iranian people on the ground in their fight - how they're not backing down and they're not giving up - that gives me hope and strength to continue for them. Because if they're actually risking their lives, literally risking their lives, the least I can do is continue to be loud for them from over here.” - Nazanin Nour

About our guest:

Nazanin Nour is an Iranian American actress, model and writer. She’s appeared on several television films and shows, including Madam Secretary, and Persia's Got Talent. She’s one of several Irani-Americans in the public eye making sure that the world knows what’s happening in Iran right now: widespread protests following the murder of Mahsa Amini, and the violence that continues against the Irani people by the dictatorship. Follow her on IG @iamnazaninnour 

Additional resources

If you need even more encouragement to join this fight, watch this short video from Cee-Roo on IG. 

Follow Nazanin Nour and other Iranians on social media, and share news from the Iranian protests far and wide. Keep the pressure up.

Sign the Amnesty International Petition to call on states to set up an independent UN mechanism now to investigate and ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law in Iran.

Participate in the global campaign to stand with the women of Iran by sending a lock of hair to your elected officials. Read more about the #HairForFreedom campaign in this article. 

The passage I read comes from Nazanin’s article in the French publication Les Glorieuses. Read it here.  

Get in touch:

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of Here After with Megan Devine. Tune in, subscribe, leave a review, send in your comments or thoughts, and share the show with everyone you know. Together, we can make things better, even when they can’t be made right. 

Have a question, comment, or a topic you’d like us to cover? call us at (323) 643-3768 or visit megandevine.co

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Check out Megan’s best-selling books - It’s Okay That You're Not Okay and How to Carry What Can’t Be Fixed

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