Hearing Hafez

New mics

If you want to understand why we do this podcast, you have to understand the history of Iran. Learn it. Study it. به افتخار مردم ایران

Five years of Hearing Hafez! (And we just now got around to discussing pomegranates)

We recently stumbled upon an old piece of podcast gold that never got released. In 2024, after recording an episode, we left the mics hot and put on our favorite Tar player, Farhang Sharif. Also, Hearing Hafez does not own any of the music on this extra.

You can stop holding your breath! Finally, after 7 months, a Hafez poem for a Hearing Hafez episode.

After a 6-month hiatus, Yadi and I were so excited to read more Hafez! And then we realized we had prepared a poem that we already analyzed (Ep. 13 - The Trail to You), so we improvised by reading some Khayyam instead.

Happy Norooz! This year, we read the most comprehensive Hafez poem yet. Plus stories from Yadi’s childhood celebrating the new year.

It's Yalda Night, which means it's been four years since we started the podcast! And in those four years, Hafez is still figuring out what life is worth and how to be content.

“You can’t sit with us!” What does Hafez say when he gets the Mean Girl treatment?

We took so long between episodes that we ended up recording this with iPads! But we have a very special subject, because in this poem, Hafez talks to a wine-vendor! And in doing so, cuts straight to the heart of his philosophy on life, which is itself a reflection of one of the most enduring realities of Iran’s existence.

The most grand and quintessential Hafez poem we’ve read.

Happy Norooz 1403!!! This one is dedicated to our friend Jamshid.

Swamps, nightingales, and mythical kings. Even in exile, Hafez is ready to serve up some wicked bars. (Recorded during an atmospheric river)

I know we’re publishing this very late but Happy New Year! Happy Yalda! Happy Holidays! And happy 3-year anniversary of Hearing Hafez!

Happy Thanksgiving! This was a tough one to decode, but that’s what we would expect for a poem that explains the evolution of Hafez’s philosophy in life.

What did the red flower say to the purple flower?

Yadi and I are casual fans of Hafez, but in this episode we discuss one of the eminent Hafez scholars of the 20th and 21st century, Houshang Ebtehaj. Better known by his pen name “Sayeh”.

In this episode, Yadi and I take a detour from Hafez to talk about one of his predecessors and influences, the legendary poet Rudaki. Plus, hang around until the end of the episode for a treat.

In this poem, Hafez reconciles with the loss of a loved one and offers perspective on the things we can’t always change, such as ourselves.

Happy (Late) Yalda! In this episode, Hafez talks to us about how it feels to outlast the night and the love that awaits on the other side. Plus (a podcast first) Yadi finally reads us one of his own poems!

زن، زندگی، ازادی

Happy Father’s Day! Coming to you from the picnic table in Kia’s Corner, Hafez has us discuss the physics and philosophy of what it means to “get close”.

Ever lose your head over someone?

Happy Norooz! Today we read a random poem by Hafez and, in typical Norooz tradition, divine a good omen for the new year.

We take a quick break from Hafez to sneak a peek into the perplexing perspectives and existential wisdom of Omar Khayyam’s rubaiyats.