Language Therapy with Dr. K

What happens when your first American "language" isn't English, but jazz? How does a voice shaped in the uncertainty and upheaval of 1990s Armenia find its way onto New York's storied jazz stages while still carrying the timbre of folk songs and candlelit nights? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with jazz vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan, born in Armenia during a period of profound transition before immigrating at twelve—not to an Armenian enclave, but to rural New Jersey. Together they trace Lucy's journey as a quintessential 1.5-generation Armenian: from growing up between literary Russian, colloquial Eastern Armenian, and jazz standards learned phonetically, to navigating the complexities of singing a Black American art form as an Armenian immigrant woman. Lucy reflects on longing, guilt, and the feeling of forever standing "beside the golden door" that shaped her new album pairing Armenian folk songs with American jazz standards. The conversation explores raising a bilingual child, the tension between colloquial and literary Armenian, and why diasporans must shed the myth of being "defective Armenians" and claim their role as cultural creators. Join us for an intimate conversation about music as firelight, the universality of human feeling, and how a mountain-top voice can carry Armenia far beyond the narratives of war and loss.

Ken Khachigian, a veteran presidential speechwriter for Nixon and Reagan and author of Behind Closed Doors, shares his fascinating journey from a California farm to the political spotlight. He discusses the art of speechwriting, emphasizing the balance of message and emotion. Khachigian reflects on his Armenian heritage and the concept of resilience that shaped him. The conversation dives into crafting speeches, the significance of audience connection, and the intense pressure of last-minute fixes. With insights on the evolving role of AI in writing, Ken showcases the timeless power of words.

Dr. Hrach Martirosyan, a historical-comparative linguist and inaugural scholar at USC's Armenian Studies Institute, dives deep into the significance of Armenian within the Indo-European language family. He explains the intricate methods linguists use to trace language origins and the importance of recognizing Armenian as a distinct branch. They explore the historical context of linguistic classification, its impact on Armenian identity, and the ongoing mysteries in their field. Martirosyan's passion for linguistics shines as they discuss the relevance of language to cultural continuity.

What does it mean to live and create between languages? How can code-switching become a form of artistry? In this episode of Language Therapy with Dr. K, Armenian American singer, songwriter, and one-half of the chart-topping duo Capital Cities, Sebu Simonian, takes listeners behind the scenes of his creative process and reveals the central role of language. From growing up a heritage speaker of Western Armenian to performing in Eastern Armenian, from writing global pop hits in English to reimagining Komitas in bilingual form, Sebu moves fluidly not only between languages but also across genres — making hybridity itself a hallmark of his work. The conversation highlights his deep connection to Armenian music, particularly Komitas, and the wide-ranging collaborations through which he continually reimagines how language, culture, and sound converge. Listen for a thoughtful reflection on the power of words and melodies to shape both personal expression and collective experience.

Sebu Simonian, an Armenian-American singer and half of the duo Capital Cities, discusses the vibrant interplay of language and culture in his music. He shares his experiences as a heritage speaker navigating between Western and Eastern Armenian, and the essence of code-switching as a form of artistry. The conversation highlights his creative process in reviving Komitas' music in a bilingual format and the significance of preserving cultural identity through musical expression. Sebu also reflects on the communal support among Armenian artists, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

What happens when language is more than a tool—when it becomes a performance, a personality, a portal to the past? In this richly layered conversation, artist and filmmaker Arman Nshanian joins Dr. K to trace the story of his life through the languages and dialects he's spoken, sung, embodied, and directed—from Egyptian-Armenian roots to Vienna opera halls, Yerevan film sets, and now to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with his latest project, Echoes of Our Ancestors. Together, they explore multilingualism, method acting, dialectal code-switching, diasporic identity, and the cost—and power—of artistic vulnerability.

What happens when language is more than a tool—when it becomes a performance, a personality, a portal to the past? In this richly layered conversation, artist and filmmaker Arman Nshanian joins Dr. K to trace the story of his life through the languages and dialects he's spoken, sung, embodied, and directed—from Egyptian-Armenian roots to Vienna opera halls, Yerevan film sets, and now to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with his latest project, Echoes of Our Ancestors. Together, they explore multilingualism, method acting, dialectal code-switching, diasporic identity, and the cost—and power—of artistic vulnerability.

What happens when the language you speak has been disconnected from its homeland for over a century? How does dialect shape identity, belonging, and memory? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with David Ghoogasian—educator and head of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School—who grew up speaking the now-rare Armenian dialect of Artvin, passed down to him by his grandparents. Together, they explore the emotional and cultural power of dialect, the experience of linguistic shame, and the formative role of literacy in diasporic life. Drawing on his background in neuroscience and education, David reflects on how language lives in the body, in the brain, and across generations. This is a conversation about inclusion, transmission, and the future of Armenian in all its forms.

How do we talk about luck? Can a shift in language alter our experience of chance and unpredictability? What happens when we stop waiting for fortune to strike and begin cultivating the conditions for serendipity? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by Dr. Christian Busch—author of The Serendipity Mindset and professor at USC's Marshall School of Business—for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of language, luck, and meaning-making. Together, they explore how the stories we tell about fortune shape our ability to perceive and act on unexpected opportunities. From folk etymologies of fate in Armenian to the role of inner narrative in shaping agency, Dr. K and Dr. Busch reflect on cultural attitudes toward chance, leadership under uncertainty, and the joy that can emerge from embracing the unplanned. Listen to gain insights into how linguistic framing influences self-perception, the difference between passive luck and active serendipity, and why ambiguity in language can be a powerful generator of connection and creativity.

How do we talk about luck? Can a shift in language alter our experience of chance and unpredictability? What happens when we stop waiting for fortune to strike and begin cultivating the conditions for serendipity? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by Dr. Christian Busch—author of The Serendipity Mindset and professor at USC's Marshall School of Business—for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of language, luck, and meaning-making. Together, they explore how the stories we tell about fortune shape our ability to perceive and act on unexpected opportunities. From folk etymologies of fate in Armenian to the role of inner narrative in shaping agency, Dr. K and Dr. Busch reflect on cultural attitudes toward chance, leadership under uncertainty, and the joy that can emerge from embracing the unplanned. Listen to gain insights into how linguistic framing influences self-perception, the difference between passive luck and active serendipity, and why ambiguity in language can be a powerful generator of connection and creativity.