In this episode of Growing Up Irooni, journalist Nilo Tabrizy joins Leyla Shams to talk about her groundbreaking book For the Sun After Long Nights — The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising, recently long-listed for the National Book Award.
Nilo reflects on what it means to love a country she can no longer return to, the emotional toll of reporting on Iran from afar, and her friendship and collaboration with Iranian journalist Fatemeh Jamalpour, who reported from inside Iran during the Women Life Freedom movement.

Together they discuss:

The personal cost of choosing to tell Iran’s story
The rise of forensic journalism and verifying truth in the digital age
The trauma and beauty of living between worlds
The responsibility and tensions within the Iranian diaspora
Why every act of defiance by Iranian women still matters

This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the human side of reporting on revolution, identity, and belonging.

🔗 Related Links

📖 For the Sun After Long Nights by Nilo Tabrizy & Fatemeh Jamalpour → Book Link
🎧 Listen to Nilo Tabrizy on Pod Save America → [Episode Link]
📰 Follow Nilo Tabrizy’s work → Instagram @badboystomeninblackhawkdown | X @NiloTabrizi
📺 Watch the video interview on YouTube → YouTube Link to Full Conversation
🌸 Learn Persian with Leyla Shams → chaiandconversation.com

Interview | Growing Up Irooni - Nilo Tabrizy on the Cost of Telling Iran’s Story