Roqe

Part two of the Roqe Series marking the 40th anniversary of the death of the Shah of Iran. Historians Andrew Scott Cooper and Mohammad Amini join Jian for separate feature interviews to discuss the Pahlavi Dynasty, historical revisionism, and assessing the Shah through the lens of 2020. Plus, the Roqe team convenes for Letters of the Week.

On the summer marking the 40th anniversary of Shah of Iran’s passing, a feature interview with historian Dr Abbas Milani on the evolving legacy of the Pahlavi Dynasty.

Theme from Roqe (full version)

Interviews with Fariborz Mokhtari (“In the Lion’s Shadow”) on the remarkable story of the ‘Iranian Schindler’ in Paris during World War 2, and Sepideh Nasiri on becoming a Silicon Valley leader and addressing a lack of diversity in the tech sector, specifically for Iranian woman and women of colour. Plus, the Roqe team reconvenes with some prickly Letters of the Week.

A feature interview with “Mother Miracle” herself, Shahla Ettefagh. Shahla tells Jian of her indulgent early adult life, a momentous decision to abandon her lush California lifestyle for India and build a school for children in need, making peace with her father before his death, and her spiritual evolution into Mother Miracle.

An interview with renowned Iranian-American scientist and leading figure at NASA, Dr. Firouz Naderi. Firouz joins Jian to discuss the latest Mars mission, the importance of space exploration, the “blessing and curse” of a dual national identity, speaking out about Trump and the regime in Iran, and the emotional toll of dealing with detractors in social media.

A feature interview with prolific Iranian-American actor. Navid Negahban. Navid recounts his journey from living in his car when he first came to America, to being one of the most busy actors in Hollywood.

A feature interview with karate champion and Head Coach of the Canadian national karate team, Nassim Varasteh. Nassim joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for a rare interview about her path to excellence, the obstacles of achieving success in a male-dominated sport, and the expectations that come with being the daughter of an Iranian karate legend. Plus, the Roqe team reconvenes for a catch-up and Lette...

An interview with guitar virtuoso, Babak Amini. Babak joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to discuss painful days trying to make music in revolutionary Iran, his journey to the West with Googoosh, and his prolific roster of performance, arrangement and production with iconic Persian artists.

A feature interview with professor of constitutional law, best-selling author, and pioneering human rights attorney, Banafsheh Akhlaghi. Plus the Roqe Roundtable reconvenes with very special guest, actress and human rights activist, Niaz Salimi.

An interview with Armenian-Iranian-American musician, songwriter and producer, Erwin Khachikian. Erwin recounts growing up the son of a church pastor in 1970s Tehran, working with System of the Down’s Serj Tankian, producing Siavash Ghomayshi, and finding his own solo sound.

An interview with educator, writer, and human rights advocate, Mansour Farhang. + the Roqe Roundtable convenes - with special guest Niloofar Ghorashi - to discuss the Farhang interview and ideas inspired by Shally Zomorodi in the last Roqe episode.

A feature interview with ebullient San Diego broadcaster Shally Zomorodi. The award-winning journalist joins Jian to discuss identity, feeling like an outsider, balancing work and family, and being a proud Iranian despite growing up in the diaspora.

An interview with veteran journalist and producer Mohammad Manzarpour about the Iranian regime’s latest decision to execute three young protesters. Plus, related: the Roqe Roundtable.

A rousing conversation with award-winning filmmaker Babak Payami about unity, division, diversity and outrage in the Iranian community.

An interview with iconoclastic rising star Iranian-Canadian visual artist, Ebrin Bagheri, on self-portrait, ideas of masculinity, breaking taboos, and the upside of censorship.

An interview with entrepreneur and tech leader Fay Arjomandi. She left Iran as a teenage refugee.

An interview with Chef Hoss Zare about his mission to bring the foundations and flare of Persian cuisine to the world.

An interview with Natalie Amiri, and Ahmad Kiarostami, on continuing the legacy of his legendary filmmaker father, Abbas Kiarostami.

An interview with Orly (Mojgan) Noy, writer, activist, and the translator of Persian classic "My Uncle Napoleon" to Hebrew.

A feature interview with tennis great Mansour Bahrami. He’s known as the ebullient Great Entertainer for his fantastic “trick shots” and big personality.

An interview with Naghmeh Samini is the co-writer of Iranian series Shahrzad - as well as being an award-winning playwright, author, screenwriter and professor.

An interview with Erfan, a pioneer of Persian Hip Hop. He’s a label owner, a rapper, and a recording star who joins us from Los Angeles.

Interviews with Iranian-American comedic star, K-von (in Las Vegas)and globally-acclaimed classical pianist, Layla Ramezan (Lausanne, Switzerland).

An interview with award-winning multi-disciplinary artist Hamed Rahmanian (in New York) and acclaimed graphic novelist Bruce Bahmani (San Fransisco)