Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation

Shally Zomorodi is one of the more well-known and incredibly prolific members of the Iranian diaspora. Her day job is as a news anchor of Fox 5 San Diego Morning News where she’s been waking up San Diego for more than a decade now. However, her journalism career spans over two decades at this point, including a two-year stint in Texas where I live. But over the years, she’s also been heavily involved in the greater Iranian community, through her show Bereez o bepaz, through the many lives she does on her Instagram page interviewing other Iranians, or giving glimpses into her embrace of Iranian traditions in her home, through her Iranian gher breaks on her morning news show, and so much more. I had a lot of questions to ask Shally after having watched her develop into such a force in the past few years, and especially over the last year. Related Links:Shally Zomorodi on Instagram

Hollay Ghadery is is an Iranian-Canadian writer living in Ontario on Anishinaabe land. She has her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. Fuse, her memoir of mixed-race identity and mental health, was released by Guernica Editions (2021) and won the 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award for Nonfiction/Memoir. Her collection of poetry, Rebellion Box, came out Radiant Press in 2023 and her collection of short fiction, Widow Fantasies, is scheduled for release with Gordon Hill Press in fall 2024. Hollay is also a book publicist and the Poet Laureate of Scugog Township. I read Hollay’s memoir Fuse back when it came out in 2021, and I couldn’t believe how applicable the things she wrote about were for my audience- for biracial or bicultural Iranians raised in the west grappling with issues of identity, of all the difficulties and joys of being raised with all these identities, of the dark sides of it, and the beautiful sides as well. I’m so excited for y’all to hear our conversation, and of course for you to experience this book, as I hope you all do.Related Links:Hollay’s memoir FuseHollay on instagram

From the very beginning of this current stage of the conflict, after the horrific events of October 7th, the first person I turned to for an understanding of what was happening was Noam Shuster-Eliassi. I’d been following her for a long time because of her comedy about Israel and Palestine. I had so many questions to ask her, and was so incredibly grateful that she took the time to speak to me. There are no easy answers, and I will let the interview speak for itself. I thank you for taking the time to listen. Related LinksNoam’s speech from 2015Noam’s instagram pageStanding Together- a grassroots Jewish-Arab movement fighting for peace, equality and social justice in Israel/Palestine. 

In this episode of Growing Up Irooni, host Leyla interviews Farnoosh Torabi, renowned podcast host and author of the book "A Healthy State of Panic." Leyla and Farnoosh delve into the world of finances, personal development, and the positive aspects of fear. Farnoosh shares her insights on fear and how it can be a powerful force in our lives when understood and harnessed correctly.Related Links:Podcast Website: www.chaiandconversation.comBook Mentioned: "A Healthy State of Panic" by Farnoosh TorabiFarnoosh Torabi's Podcast: "So Money with Farnoosh Torabi"Farnoosh Torabi's instagram

I’m so excited to share with you my interview with Arya Shahi, author of the fantastic new debut novel, An Impossible Thing to Say. It’s coming out this week, September 26th 2023, so no matter when you’re listening to this interview, please drop everything and go buy it- you will love it.So as a brief introduction, Arya Shahi is an Iranian-American multidisciplinary artist. He is a co-founder of PigPen Theatre Co., the award-winning theatre company and band. With PigPen, Arya has written, directed, and performed in original musicals as well as books adapted for stage. Arya’s debut novel, An Impossible Thing To Say, has been published by HarperCollins and Arya will direct the Pulitzer Prize-winning English at The Old Globe in early 2024.We actually ended up recording this interview on September 11th, which is interesting because September 11th was a big part of this novel. I had been looking forward to talking to Arya for a long time, and our conversation did not disappoint- we could have talked for hours more. He is really an ideal guest for this podcast, and talked about so many of the issues I hear from a lot of you about all the time. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for listening!

So excited to share that Navied Mahdavian's incredible debut graphic memoir, This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America is NOW OUT and available for purchase! And to celebrate, I’m so excited to share with you all the conversation I had with Navied after reading his incredible his work.The book is set in rural Idaho where Navied moved with his wife and dog in November 2016- yes, the month Trump got elected. I could NOT put the book down and enjoyed reading it immensely- it brought up so many issues we all think about so much, like issues of identity, language, culture, being “others”- I had so many questions for Navied and feel so lucky I got to sit down and ask him some of them. He’s delightful to talk to, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the conversation as much as I did.Related Links:Navied Mahdavian on InstagramNavied's comic about Iran

In this episode, we dive into an enriching conversation with Samira Mohieddin, discussing her experiences growing up in a Persian family that migrated to Canada. We unpack the challenges and dynamics of navigating multiple cultures, languages, and political climates.Highlights:Samira reflects on her sudden rise in Instagram followers and the oddity of newfound attention.A mention of Ari's project, Water Well, and its resonance post-George Floyd protests.Samira shares her early life in Tehran and the subsequent move to Canada when she was just four years old. The move was prompted not by choice but by necessity due to political upheavals.We learn about the initial struggles of adapting to a new country, including linguistic hurdles. Her family was a blend of French, English, and Persian speakers.Samira candidly discusses her experiences in Persian school, a journey filled with mischief, laughter, and some rebellious moments.A poignant memory of the aftermath of the Iran hostage crisis is recounted, showcasing the profound impact of geopolitics on immigrant families.This episode offers a deep dive into the lived experience of an Iranian-Canadian, illustrating the power of personal stories in bridging cultural gaps and dispelling misunderstandings. Join us for an intimate journey of laughter, nostalgia, and reflection.

In the latest episode of the "Growing Up Irooni" podcast series, I had the unique privilege of sitting down with the iconic Gisue Hariri, one half of the brilliant duo behind Hariri & Hariri Architecture. In this intimate conversation, Gisue delves into the intricacies of growing up in the southern part of Iran, where the environment fostered imagination, resilience, and a profound connection to nature. She candidly shares the challenges and triumphs she faced as a female architect, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated profession. From her experiences at Cornell University to designing a coffee shop in New York City with Colombian architects, our discussion traverses the intersections of culture, architecture, and womanhood. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast or someone intrigued by personal narratives of struggle, triumph, and identity, this episode promises a heartfelt journey through the eyes of one of Iran's pioneering architectural minds. Tune in to witness how Gisue's unique upbringing influenced her path and her passion for creating more inclusive spaces in architecture.Related Links:Gisue Hariri on InstagramWebsite of Hariri and Hariri Architecture