Armenian Enough

Award-winning author, feminist, and activist Nancy Agabian, speaks about her groundbreaking novel, The Fear of Large and Small Nations.  Steeped in rich literary prose, this semi-autobiographical story centers around a bisexual diasporan Armenian woman and her experiences in modern-day Armenia as a simultaneous insider & outsider to the culture of her homeland. Purchase your copy here: The Fear of...

Armenian-American Olympic gymnast, Houry Gebeshian, speaks about her unlikely path to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Beyond her positive, upbeat attitude, what comes through most powerfully is her unwavering belief in herself - something most of us could stand to emulate! No stranger to hard work, she is dedicated to improving the status of female gymnasts in Armenia and to recruiting other Armenian-Am...

On the precipice of the 2024 Election year (in the U.S.), LGBTQ & Trans rights are in the crosshairs of the alt-right, political conservatives, and hate groups alike -- both nationally and locally. In Los Angeles, the convergence of Armenian & Latino communities with the religious far right has placed queer members of both directly at the center of the storm. In this episode, Erik Adamian, preside...

We couldn't be more excited about the release of the very first book (that we know of), featuring a bisexual Armenian woman as its protagonist - by a major publication house, no less! Sorry, Bro is the debut novel from Armenian-American author Taleen Voskuni. The central themes, which include struggling with Armenianness in the diaspora and coming to terms with one's burgeoning sexual identity, ar...

The causes of addiction have been pondered for ages, but there is an ever-growing consensus that a sense of belonging (or lack thereof) may play an important role, particularly in its inception. It is at once intangible and deeply personal, bringing to bear individual sensitivities and perspectives. In this episode, we discuss Srab's experience of growing up as an Armenian in England and how that...

Co-Hosts Lara Vanian-Green and Armen Menechyan have an unscripted, free-flowing discussion on the topic of grief & joy: their interconnectedness, the importance of experiencing both, and how sharing them unites us inextricably as one fabric of humanity. This episode is Part 2 of that talk. Armen Menechyan is the owner of Pur Joy Yoga in Hollywood, California @purjoyoga

Co-Hosts Lara Vanian-Green and Armen Menechyan have an unscripted, free-flowing discussion on the topic of grief & joy: their interconnectedness, the importance of experiencing both, and how sharing them unites us inextricably as one fabric of humanity. This episode is Part 1 of that talk. Armen Menechyan is the owner of Pur Joy Yoga in Hollywood, California @purjoyoga

Recently, I heard someone refer to New Year's Resolutions as New Year's Revolutions - and I'm all in! In this episode, we introduce Tigran Grigoryan's brand new dance exercise program - think of it as Zumba but with music you would hear at an Armenian wedding! It's suitable for all ages & abilities and will have different dance moves for men and women (just like traditional Armenian dance). So, if...

In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be a "Main Dater" on the first ever Armenian dating show. Vanessa and Shant talk about some of the most anxiety-inducing moments on camera as well as what they have learned, not only about dating, but also about themselves as a result of participating in this groundbreaking social experiment. The Armenian Dating Show is full o...

The Armenian Dating Show is one of those ideas whose time has (thankfully) come! Showcasing a variety of diasporan Armenians is arguably the hallmark of our podcast - but the sheer array of different  expressions of being Armenian is also a truth that emerges from the singles, whose dating lives we catch a glimpse of on the show. The genuine care on behalf of cast & crew alike allows for the vulne...

The task of discovering our individual identity is made that much more challenging when our very foundation is built upon shifting sands. Yasmin was raised by a Christian-Armenian mother and Muslim-Syrian father who emigrated to the United States when Yasmin was a child. In the midst of the push & pull of competing cultures, religious beliefs, and societal expectations, they were able to forge an...

One of the most meaningful things we can do with our one precious life on Earth is to leave this world better than we found it. Bravery born of love & compassion is the fuel that powers revolutions. In this case, a food & lifestyle innovation that enriches humans and animals alike, for the good of both. VegCheese is an artisanal plant-based cheese company founded by Lori Sroujian and run by her en...

Do the people currently living on ancestral Armenian lands give any thought to the indigenous people of that land? Do they know they're living on Armenian soil, where countless generations of our people lived and loved and perished? How much thought do we give to the indigenous people of the land we call home today? Kya's Aboriginal roots provide a rich framework within which to explore their rece...

Serving up truth with humor is an insidious and brilliant way to make oneself understood on the most intimate level. Humor is a balm to our weary souls. I, for one, wouldn't want to live in a world without it. By the same token, it takes a heady mix of genuine confidence and vulnerability to be able to laugh at oneself in earnest. Mary Basmadjian, on her own and through her iconic characters, is s...

This episode provides a behind-the-curtains view of my most cherished relationship, the one with my only child. Hear her speak candidly about her life, her mother, and her internal sense of not feeling Armenian enough. (That last one kind of broke my heart a little.) With vulnerability and an abundance of compassion each of us can model what belonging and enough-ness really looks like in our own l...

Our greatest freedom lies in the full acceptance of who we genuinely are, even if the world at large fails to understand or endorse our unique individuality. From that vantage point, so much is revealed about the veneer of society's rules and trappings. With humor, bluster, and at times, great vulnerability, Paul speaks about their undying love for all things Armenian, the beauty in making peace w...

What is it like to be Jewish and Armenian? Aside from inheriting intergenerational trauma from both sides, it is also something that has provided Alyssa with a unique view of both communities. More of a New Yorker than an "American," Alyssa explores how her upbringing has provided her access to two distinct and oftentimes insular worlds, as well as how her family's history has shown her that it ca...

Representation matters. It allows us a glimpse into the world of possibilities and rescues us from societal erasure. It's difficult to put into words how it felt to see actors on the big screen either speaking Armenian or telling the story of our ancestors who survived the Genocide... never did it cross my mind that the queer Armenian experience would also make it to the silver screen one day. Fil...

The old adage of laughter being the best medicine still holds true - laughter strengthens the immune system and boosts feel-good chemicals in our brain. Good comedy is funny because it's true... or at least, there's a healthy dose of truth in it. Through his comedy, Andy gently pokes fun at Armenian (and other) stereotypes and provides poignant social commentary. Watch it with a friend! You can re...

The passion required for sustained activism is one that is born neither of blood nor soil, but a deep inner conviction in one's soul that each of us is ultimately responsible for bringing about justice in the world. The source of righteous anger is love. It has always been love. Hear Aram talk about his quintessentially American upbringing, the pull toward his Armenian roots, and the evolution of...

There are few life events more damaging to the soul than being a victim of sexual assault and/or rape. Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame and anger, exacerbated by a society that all too frequently places blame on victims rather than perpetrators. Sharing stories of survival is a powerful reminder that we are not in this alone. Hear Aram Ronaldo speak candidly about sexual assault, ex...

What does it mean to be asexual? Aromantic? How do people who identify as Ace [asexual] establish intimate relationships which suit their needs as well as the needs of their partners? Writer Sarah Elgatian walks us through a frank and, at times, humorous discussion of sexuality, romance, identity - and the all too common struggle to be understood and accepted for who we genuinely are. You can reac...

Even people who never suffered from anxiety probably got to experience some over the last year. A global pandemic can do that to us! As adults, we generally have the benefit of perspective as well as a whole host of healthy and not-so-healthy coping mechanisms. But what can children do when they are the ones dealing with anxiety? Who is there to listen to their fears? And perhaps more importantly,...

In this episode, we explore the experience of being African American and Armenian from a different vantage point than our previous episodes on this topic. As a bi-racial father raising his two daughters in a multi-ethnic family, David is uniquely equipped to guide and shape his children's sense of self and curate the cultural elements of their identity. The embodiment of goodwill and non-judgment,...

How much would you have to love someone to spend years in their pursuit, travel across the world during a global pandemic, and brave living in a foreign country during wartime? Mandy Breitenstein and her husband Adam, as well as their four children, did just that in October of 2020 to retrieve their fifth child, Ember, from an Armenian orphanage. Driven by her unshakeable faith in God, Mandy and h...