A new big variety edition of Roqe featuring interviews with songwriter, producer and recording artist, Erwin Khachikian, and political scientist Behnam Taleblu. Jian starts the show with an audio essay suggesting declarations of the death of the uprising in Iran are premature, and those in the diaspora assuming it is “over" do a disservice to the Iranians that have been killed and those continuing to fight for freedom against the Islamic Republic. Then, Erwin joins Jian from Los Angeles for an energetic conversation including discussion of his latest project as Musical Director of “The Voice Persia” and his version of the Shervin anthem, “Baraye.” Following that, Behnam joins from Washington DC for a wide-ranging policy discussion that includes the Biden Admin’s inaction against the Islamic Republic, the obsession of the U.S. and EU with resuscitating the Nuclear Deal (the JCPOA), and how are to interpret the new bromance between the Iranian regime and…Saudi Arabia(!).

Roqe Ep#255 - Erwin Khachikian, Behnam Taleblu

On this episode of Roqe, acclaimed Iranian-Canadian comedian Neema Naz returns to the studio for a candid and celebratory conversation in the middle of his world tour. After receiving a major boost from megastar Drake, Neema has gone from social media sensation to global performer, sharing stages with comedy legends like Russell Peters and Howie Mandel. He opens up about the pressure of success, his acting ambitions, and staying grounded through it all.

Plus, Jian begins the show with a powerful opening essay marking the start of Pride Month — contrasting the joy of LGBTQ celebrations in the West with the brutal persecution faced by LGBTQ people in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Recorded in Toronto. Presented by Roqe Media.

This episode comes to you with the generous support of Tika, Famlixy and Novvanguard.

Roqe Ep. 375 - Comedian Neema Naz + Opening Essay on LGBTQ Persecution in Iran

Two powerful Iranian-Canadian stories — both interviews conducted in Persian.

First, Milad Taherzadeh (aka @miladbeauty) opens up publicly for the first time at a live Roqe Hub event, sharing his harrowing journey as an LGBTQ person growing up and pursuing a career in style and makeup in Mashhad and fleeing Iran. Then, entrepreneur Navid Badiei joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to talk about rebuilding his life from scratch and creating one of Canada’s most beloved Persian restaurants, Shamshiri.

Follow @RoqeMedia and @JianGhomeshi
Subscribe for more episodes.

Episode supported by:
@grazingdelice | @twoar.t | @oxygenbotanicals | @aliapastry

#IranianDiaspora #RefugeeStories #PersianPodcast #MiladBeauty #Shamshiri #Roqe

Roqe Ep. 376 - Resilience and Success – Milad Taherzadeh & Navid Badiei (in Persian)

In this urgent and emotional edition of Roqe, host Jian Ghomeshi opens a new series exploring the human impact of the fast-escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recorded on June 18th, 2025 — amidst rapidly shifting events — this episode amplifies Iranian voices from both inside the country and across the diaspora.

Guests include:

Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi (“Dr. Kay”) in New York, a physician receiving messages from hundreds of Iranians on the ground

Kamyar Mahinsa, a longtime police officer and influential voice on Iranian social media, joining from Vancouver

Nik Kowsar, celebrated cartoonist, journalist, and advocate, speaking from Washington, D.C.

Roqe contributors Pegah Ganji and Anahita Nayebi, reflecting on grief, diaspora guilt, family, and hope

This episode marks the beginning of The Israel–Iran War: Voices of Iranians — a continuing Roqe series documenting the thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences of Iranians during this unprecedented crisis. If you disagree with something you hear, stay tuned — more voices and perspectives are coming. This is not an echo chamber. This is a space for humanity, nuance, and truth-seeking.

Roqe Ep. 377 – The Israel–Iran War: Voices of Iranians

A fragile ceasefire. A fractured people. And a pressing question: What now?

On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi leads a probing conversation about the aftermath of the Israel–Islamic Republic conflict, and what it has revealed about the state of Iranians today — politically, emotionally, and spiritually. While Trump, Netanyahu, and Khamenei claim “victory,” the Iranian people face a resurgence of crackdowns and internal division.

Panel guests include:
– Bahador Alast, popular YouTuber and commentator
– Picasso Moin, athlete and social observer (from Istanbul)
– Sadeq Bigdeli, lawyer and political analyst (from Toronto)

Plus, psychotherapist and PTSD expert Shirin Amani Azeri joins the show for an intimate and powerful look at the psychological toll of the past two weeks.

Roqe Ep. 378 - What Now? - Bahador Alast, Picasso Moin, Sadeq Bigdeli, Shirin Amani Azeri

Just weeks ago, the world watched as tensions between Israel and Iran surged and the Iranian people appeared to be approaching a pivotal moment. The conditions for an uprising were aligning.
Then came a ceasefire.
Then… Trump’s shift - signalling a willingness to work with the same Islamic Republic regime he once vowed to crush.

So: Did Trump blow a real opportunity for change?

Jian Ghomeshi hosts a passionate, high-level panel with legal analyst and political commentator Ari Aramesh, and former U.S. senior official Bijan Kian, to tackle the hard questions:

Did the Trump pivot deflate the movement for freedom in Iran?

Was there ever a plan to follow through?

What does this mean for Iranians both inside and outside the country?

Why does the regime seem untouched, emboldened even?

A raw and revealing discussion about power, pressure, and the moment that may have slipped away.

Find us on all major platforms and at RoqeMedia.com
Follow Jian on Instagram: @JianGhomeshi

Roqe Ep.379 - Did Trump Drop the Ball? - Ari Aramesh, Bijan Kian

How do authoritarian regimes survive decade after decade? In this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi breaks down the “7 Rules of Modern Dictatorship” — and how Ayatollah Khamenei continues to cling to power in Iran despite global outrage, economic hardship, and internal dissent.

Then, acclaimed psychologist and author Dr. Fathali Moghaddam joins Jian from Washington, D.C. to share his latest insights on dictatorship, mass psychology, and collective irrationality. Together, they examine why the Islamic Republic remains in place, how global politics enable tyranny, and what Iranians — inside and outside the country — can do to shift the future.

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🟡 Sponsored by:
🔹 Famluxy – Artistic, handcrafted accessories | @famluxy
🔹 Forough Catering – Exceptional Persian catering in Toronto | @forough_ghayedi

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Subscribe to Roqe wherever you get your podcasts.

Roqe Ep.380 - How Dictators Stay in Power - Dr. Fathali Moghaddam

complex world of online identity, empowerment, and judgment. Rana Zandi, an Iranian-Canadian digital strategist and AI music experimenter, is not only breaking new ground in technology and design but also came to public attention as the self-proclaimed first Iranian woman to join OnlyFans — a platform known for empowering creators but also controversial for its association with adult content and the monetization of intimacy, raising concerns about exploitation, morality, and societal norms.

Rana opens up about her emotional journey through OnlyFans, where she initially found empowerment but eventually became disillusioned by the transactional nature of her relationships with men. She also discusses her academic background, her work in AI music, and how her story intersects with her Iranian identity, cultural expectations, and the challenges of being a woman in a space like OnlyFans.

This conversation challenges stereotypes, explores the complexities of identity, and takes a deeper look at the human experience in the digital age. Tune in for an insightful, emotional, and potentially controversial discussion.

Follow us on Instagram: @roqemedia

Available on all major podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and Castbox.

Roqe Ep. 381 - "The First Iranian OnlyFans Girl" - Rana Zandi

A new and unexpected trend is emerging: the face of Ali Khamenei and the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran appearing in Western protests, from Toronto to London to Sydney. On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi asks: Why are some Western activists and segments of the political Left embracing a regime widely known for its brutality, repression, and human rights abuses?

Human rights lawyer Kaveh Shahrooz and academic Forouq Canaani join Jian to explore this ideological shift. From propaganda and anti-imperialism to diaspora backlash and the legacy of Mahsa Amini, this panel discussion dives deep into the dissonance of supporting "resistance" while uplifting tyranny.

A thoughtful, provocative episode asking hard questions at a critical moment.

Roqe Ep. 382 - Mullahs: New Darlings of the West? - Kaveh Shahrooz, Forouq Canaani

On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi leads a powerful panel discussion on language, migration, and identity.

For many immigrants, speaking English isn’t just a practical skill — it’s a profound shift in how they express emotion, how they’re perceived, and how they perceive themselves. This episode explores the idea that a second language can become a second self.

Jian is joined by:

Dr. Jila Ghomeshi, linguist and expert on language and identity

Mojdeh Razeh, English instructor and creator of @english.with.mojdeh

Shahrzad Kazemi, social media educator behind @learningenglishwithsherry

Together, they ask:
Who are you when you speak in your second language?
Does your personality shift?
And what happens to the real you in translation?

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, SoundCloud, and RoqeMedia.com.
Follow us: @RoqeMedia | @JianGhomeshi

Roqe Ep. 383 – Are You the Same Person in a Second Language? - Dr. Jila Ghomeshi, Mojdeh Razeh, Shahrzad Sherry Kazemi

Conversations from, to, and about the Iranian diaspora.

Roqe is hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.

Roqe Ep#255 - Erwin Khachikian, Behnam Taleblu

Roqe Media

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