Roqe

Another special edition of Roqe under the banner of The Uprising, with a continued focus on the movement for change in Iran - this time featuring four powerful female voices from across the diaspora and inside Iran. In the opening essay, Jian addresses recent remarks made by U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, and suggests that it’s time for him to step aside. In a roundtable session, the...

Another special edition of Roqe focused on the growing revolution in Iran. Feature guests include Swedish-Iranian psychotherapist author, Shirin Amani Azari, back in London after attending the historic Berlin rally for Iran, and Dr. Fereydoon Rahmani, Associate Professor at York University in the Roqe studio, about the view of the uprising from the Kurdish community. Jian opens the show with an es...

Another Roqe Special Edition featuring interviews with anti-regime individuals inside Iran as the 2022 revolution builds momentum. Once again, Jian is joined by brave protesters who give a rare first-hand account of the ongoing developments inside Iran despite heavy internet blockages and continued crackdowns. Behgol, a young graphic artist joins Jian from the south of Iran. Bardia, a tourism indu...

Another special edition of Roqe as part of the ongoing Uprising series. Featured guests include: Cyrus Forum founder and director, Mariam Memarsadeghi; British-Iranian artist, Afshin Naghouni; and, YouTuber and former champion gymnast: Shahrzad Pezhman. Plus Jian does an opening essay entitled, “Never Forget the Massacre of Zahedan,” and convenes a Roqe Roundtable with Pegah, Shaya, and special gu...

Another Roqe Special Edition featuring interviews with those active inside Iran as the 2022 revolution builds momentum. Once again, Jian is joined by courageous young women and men who give a rare first-hand account of developments inside Iran despite a crackdown by the regime and internet blockages: Sami, a documentarian and comedian in Tehran, Sara, a professional employed in the field of logist...

Another special edition of Roqe amidst the current uprising in Iran, with a continued focus on the movement for change and outcry after the killing of Mahsa Amini. On this episode, Jian is once again joined by prominent voices from the Iranian Diaspora, this time to discuss the uprising no longer simply being a set of protests, but rather, the beginnings of a new revolution. Featured guests includ...

Another Special Edition of Roqe addressing the movement for change in Iran and outcry after the killing of Mahsa Amini. On this episode we once again hear from three (different) courageous Iranians who have been on the frontlines demonstrating against the regime in Iran in the last three weeks, and join us to provide a first-hand account of what exactly they are witnessing and experiencing in this...

Another special edition of Roqe during the current uprising in Iran, this time focusing on the infuriating inattention of Western leaders, corporations, and media while the regime in Iran continues its brutal crackdown on youthful protestors. Jian is joined by prominent voices from across the Iranian Diaspora, including: Dr. Mehrzad Boroujerdi in Los Angeles Nazenin Ansari in London, UK Arash Sobh...

Another Special Edition of Roqe addressing the movement for change in Iran and the outcry after the killing of Mahsa Amini. After our last two editions assembling voices across the diaspora, in this episode, there is a different approach and we hear from three courageous Iranians who have been on the frontlines demonstrating against the regime in Iran in the last two weeks, and join us to provide...

A special edition of Roqe focused on how those in the diaspora can support the brave young women and men fighting for human rights and justice in Iran. Once again, we assemble prominent voices from across the diaspora, this time to discuss solidarity with Iran and actions that can be taken locally and internationally. Lawyer and activist Kaveh Shahrooz joins Jian in the Roqe Studio, Kurdish-Irania...

A special edition of Roqe addressing the horrific death of young Mahsa Amini while in detention in Tehran - an event that has galvanized protesters inside the country and Iranians around the world. We convene several prominent voices from across the diaspora to discuss Mahsa’s killing, the role of the “morality police,” and whether this latest outrage in the Islamic Republic may become a tipping p...

A feature interview with the illustrious Iranian broadcaster, Behzad Bolour, who returns to the show - this time live in the Roqe Studio. Behzad joins Jian for a rollicking fun conversation about everything from interview tips to body hair and - in a more serious vein - the expectations of Iranian audiences in TV and radio. Then, popular Iranian-Australian baker, Shadi Majlessy, visits the Roqe St...

Another big weekly edition of Roqe, including feature interviews with pioneering Iranian-American psychologist and behavioral analyst, Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, as well as internationally celebrated Iranian-French architect and designer, Ali Behnam Bakhtiar. Dr. Granpeesheh joins Jian from Los Angeles to discuss dedicating her life to autism research and therapy and founding the landmark Center for...

Another big weekly edition of Roqe, including feature interviews with pioneering Iranian-American psychologist and behavioral analyst, Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, as well as internationally celebrated Iranian-French architect and designer, Ali Behnam Bakhtiar. Dr. Granpeesheh joins Jian from Los Angeles to discuss dedicating her life to autism research and therapy and founding the landmark Center for...

Roqe 197 - A feature interview with the popular musical duo, 25 Band, who have built a vast following with their infectious alternative pop sounds and stunning videos. A-Del and Tamin join Jian live in the Roqe Studio for a fun-filled and comprehensive chat covering the origins of their distinctive sound, their artistic influences, and their personal relationship and journey from Mashhad to the We...

Roqe 196 - A feature interview with American historian, journalist, and Pulitzer Prize winning author, Kai Bird, on his latest book entitled, “The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter,” and re-examining the hostage crisis in Iran. Plus Jian talks to the highly contaminated Roqe on air team about his recent travels, and reaction to the new Roqe documentary, Talking to Persians: London...

The premiere of a new fast-paced documentary series from Roqe Media, focused on Persians living outside of Iran, and their adopted cities. In this first edition, Jian and team travel to London, England, to discover a diverse and passionate community of Iranians, with a diversity of opinions, and a very surprising twist when finding the house he was born in. (English with Persian subtitles)

Roqe 195 - A special preview podcast discussing the upcoming premiere of the new Roqe Media travel series, Talking to Persians. Jian is joined by Captain Reza, the Fabulous Kyan and Groovy Shaya to chat about this fast-paced documentary style series focusing on Persians living outside of Iran and life in their adopted cities. In each episode, we go on a mission to track down and learn about the Ir...

Roqe 194 - Feature interviews with award-winning cartoonist, blogger and journalist, Nikahang Kowsar, and teenage athletic phenom, Mahta Gharaei. Nik Kowsar joins Jian from Washington DC to discuss his journey to becoming a prominent Iranian cartoonist who would earn the ire of the clergy, and his current focus on addressing the water scarcity crisis in Iran. But first, Iranian-Canadian rising sta...

Roqe 193 - Another big weekly edition of Roqe, including a feature interview with MMA star Pannie Kianzad, as well as a rare live appearance by Rastak in the Roqe Studio for a conversation and performance. Rastak, the internationally-recognized Iranian roots and folk ensemble known for their standout performances showcase their talents with a live piece in our studio, plus a group discussion of th...

Roqe 192 - Three feature interviews on another big weekly edition of Roqe. Hailed as the “finest translator of Persian poetry,” award-winning British poet, and leading scholar of Persian Literature, Dr. Dick Davis, joins Jian to discuss his life journey, his love for Iran and Persian culture, and his mission. As well, award-winning Iranian-Canadian film director Babak Payami returns to Roqe to rec...

Roqe 191 - A feature lifetime conversation with Iranian music legend Soleyman (Soley) Vaseghi - his first ever interview conducted in English. Soley joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for an in-depth look at his remarkable life from early days growing up in a spiritual family in 1940s and ‘50s Iran, to becoming a massive pop star in the 1970s, to exile after the revolution and his journey into Sufi-ins...

Feature interviews with Dr. Rosa Moradi and Helia Bandeh on an exciting new “Big Show” weekly summer edition of Roqe. First, Iranian-Canadian physician, Doctor of Natural Medicine, and Ayurveda specialist and instructor, Dr. Rosa Moradi, joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to discuss her captivating journey from MD to NMD and her growing social media stardom. Then visionary dancer, choreographer, and re...

Roqe 189 - Part 3 of the Roqe mini-series, The Plight of Persian Music, takes a specific look at the adversity faced by female Iranian artists. In what ways have the burdens of repressive laws and cultural pressures both inside and outside of Iran impacted female singers and performers? Iranian-British vocalist and recording artist, Misagh Moradi, joins Jian from London, England, to give a first-h...

A feature interview with Iranian-American ENT specialist, facial plastic surgeon and social media sensation, Dr. Sina Joorabchi - best known, simply, as Doctor Sina. An accomplished otolaryngologist and appointed clinical assistant professor for Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Sina joins Jian from Pembroke Pines, Florida, to discuss everything from his practise, to hearing loss, the concept of "...