

Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation
Chai & Conversation
Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation teaches you conversational Persian in a fun and casual manner in weekly lessons of about 15-20 minutes each. Check out our website chaiandconversation.com for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 27, 2025 • 14min
Speak Lesson 70 | Thanking a Shopowner
In this lesson, we learn some more expressions for expressing thanks, particularly in the context of visiting a jewelry store or other shop and making arrangements in advance.

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
Interview | Growing Up Irooni - Nilo Tabrizy on the Cost of Telling Iran’s Story
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 storyThe rise of forensic journalism and verifying truth in the digital ageThe trauma and beauty of living between worldsThe responsibility and tensions within the Iranian diasporaWhy every act of defiance by Iranian women still mattersThis 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

Oct 20, 2025 • 18min
Speak Lesson 69 | Giving Thanks
In this lesson, we learn some other tārof-related expressions for expressing thanks, especially when talking to people at a party or other social gathering.

Oct 13, 2025 • 17min
Speak Lesson 68 | Talking with a Neighbor
In this lesson, we learn a few more tārof-related expressions useful when talking with neighbors and also learn some useful phrases about gardening.

Oct 6, 2025 • 18min
Speak Lesson 67 | How to Talk About School
In this lesson, we learn how to talk a little bit about school.

Sep 29, 2025 • 29min
Speak Lesson 66 | Tārof When Welcoming Guests
In this lesson, we continue to explore examples of tārof relevant in situations where we have guests at our houses.

Sep 15, 2025 • 23min
Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 5
In this lesson, we cover the thrilling conclusion to the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh with Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani, where Zal returns with Sam to their palace in Zabulistan, where he enjoys a hero's welcome.

Sep 8, 2025 • 19min
Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 4
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the fourth part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh reunites Zal with his father, Sam.

Sep 1, 2025 • 14min
Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 3
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the third part of the Story of Zal, where Sam begins to have dreams that inspire him to search for the son he had previously abandoned.

Aug 25, 2025 • 15min
Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 2
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the second part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh spots the abandoned baby.


