Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Sonics, Class, and Connection” and features Reza Moghaddas (Toronto), Amir Bahari (Tehran), and Sepp Osley (London).

WHY PINK FLOYD - Ep. 2 (remastered, 2023)

Episode 390: Shabnam Tolouei — Art Without Borders

On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Iranian-French actress, playwright, and director Shabnam Tolouei. In a conversation spanning both English and Persian, Shabnam reflects on her new short film One Thousand and One Hundred, her journey from Tehran to Paris and now the U.S., and her decades of work amplifying women’s voices and minority experiences through theatre and film.

The interview explores exile, faith, censorship, and the inner negotiations of an artist who refuses to stop creating. Along the way, Jian and Shabnam also discuss Autumn Dance, Dust-Flower-Flame, and her collaborations with Shirin Neshat and Sepideh Farsi.

This episode also features an update on the upcoming Roqe Live 5 event on October 2nd at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

Brought to you by iWelcome.

Roqe Ep. 390 - Shabnam Tolouei — Art Without Borders

Recorded before a packed house at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (Oct 2, 2025), in Richmond Hill, Canada. This is the live version of the weekly Roqe podcast - transformed into a variety show that had everything from rollicking dances to memorials and tears.

Guests & Segments:
*Deejay Al* (opening hype) • *Jian Ghomeshi* (monologue & host) • *Pegah Ganji* (Richmond Hill’s rise as an Iranian cultural hub) • *Navid Rezvani* (special dance + interview — first North American appearance) • *Dr. Mahshad Kolahdouzan* (neuroscience made practical) • *DJ Namito* (Berlin roots, House of Namito, community) • *Rubina* (live performance: “Tehran”) • *Kaveh Yaghmaei & Niloufar* (legacy, mentorship, hope) • *Jian’s Tribute to His Father* • *Shally Zomorodi* (journalism, public life, identity) • *Babak Amini Tribute & Roqe Media Icon Award presentation* • *Finale: Babak Amini & Kaveh Yaghmaei (together), Namito, Deejay Al, and Jian*

Sponsors

Icon Award Sponsor: Quasar Homes (Amir Firooz)

Gold: Beigi Law (Dr. Shay Beigi) • Anabel Sharouyan (Affinity Mortgage Solutions) • Shamshiri Restaurant (Navid Badiei)

Silver: TIA Immigration (Elahe Rezaei) • iAccounting • Hooman Golrokh • Raavi Artisans (Alia Pastry, Avers, Jadeite, Famluxy, Twoart) • iWelcome • Urban Windows & Doors • Forough Catering (Chef Forough Ghayedi)

Bronze: Lazar Prop Creation (Ramtin Lazar) • Ontario Camera • i2Canada (Vahid Babaei)

Host: Jian Ghomeshi • Produced by: Roqe Media
Follow/subscribe for weekly episodes, long-form interviews, and live specials.

Roqe Ep. 391 - Roqe Live 5!

A special edition of Roqe featuring two of the most influential Iranian architects of the last century - Hossein Amanat and Kamran Diba - together for the first time in the Roqe Studio.

In a rare and deeply personal interview, they sit down with Jian Ghomeshi to explore architecture, identity, exile, and legacy - from the creation of Tehran’s Azadi Tower and Museum of Contemporary Art to life and creativity after 1979.

Also in this episode: Jian’s Roqe Roundup with Pegah Ganji on the “Little Iran” designation in Toronto — and the unexpected backlash that followed.

🎙 Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi
Presented with the support of @beigilaw and @raavi.artisans

#Roqe #JianGhomeshi #HosseinAmanat #KamranDiba #IranianArchitecture #LittleIran #IranianDiaspora #AzadiTower #TehranMuseum #IranianCulture #Toronto

Roqe Ep. 392 – Icons of Design: Hossein Amanat, Kamran Diba + Roundup: “Little Iran” Backlash

A rare in-studio performance and conversation with TrioMoon - featuring Milad Derakhshani (tar), Dara Daraei (bass), and Bahar Falsafi (violin).
Visiting from Iran, the trio delivers two breathtaking instrumental pieces - a fusion of Persian classical roots, improvisation, and modern texture - followed by an intimate discussion with Jian Ghomeshi on creativity, collaboration, and the flourishing new wave of Iranian music.

Milad and Dara open up about living double musical lives - from pop and rock to sonati and fusion - and what it means to make art between worlds.

At the top of the show, Jian reflects on Toronto’s excitement as the Blue Jays head to the World Series and shares his recent streak of Persian concerts - from Alireza Ghorbani to Martik to Milad Derakhshani’s captivating Toronto performance with Trio Moon.

🎶 Featuring:
• Milad Derakhshani – Tar
• Dara Daraei – Bass
• Bahar Falsafi – Violin

🎙 Interview by Jian Ghomeshi
📍Recorded live at the Roqe Hub, Toronto

Presented with the support of @tia_immigration and @iwelcome.ca

Roqe Ep. 393 - Milad Derakshani, Dara Daraee, Bahar Falsafi (Triomoon)

In a world where fitness is filtered and wellness is for sale, how do we separate truth from illusion? Studies show that six out of ten TikTok fitness videos are misleading or harmful, and that more social media use often means more body dissatisfaction — especially among young people.

In this eye-opening conversation, Jian is joined by two Iranian-background fitness creators who are navigating both the promise and the pitfalls of the digital wellness boom:

Sepideh Faraji (@sepideh_fit) – a Toronto-based fitness coach and lifestyle influencer helping women embrace realistic, sustainable approaches to health.

Sama Ghorbani (@nutrifitopia) – a Los Angeles-based nutritionist and content creator bridging science, fitness, and accessibility online.

Together, they unpack misinformation vs. expertise, “fitspiration” vs. pressure, and how social media is reshaping the entire fitness industry.

Recorded with Sepideh in the Roqe Studio in Toronto and Sama joining via Zoom from L.A.

This episode of Roqe is presented with the support of Tika — the customer-generating machine helping businesses grow through digital marketing, lead generation, and telecom innovation.

#Fitness #SocialMedia #Roqe #JianGhomeshi #IranianDiaspora #Wellness #BodyImage #FitTok #TikTok #SepidehFaraji #SamaGhorbani

Roqe Ep. 394 - Fitness in the Social Media Age: What is Real? - Sepideh Faraji, Sama Ghorbani

She built a career in business in America. Then, through depression and reflection, she found her true calling. Iranian-American podcaster and life coach Helli Hendesi, host of HelliTalk, joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to talk about her remarkable transformation - from corporate executive to full-time creator.

A conversation about courage, reinvention, healing, and how one woman turned pain into purpose.


Presented with support from Quasar Homes.
Follow Jian on Instagram: @jianghomeshi and Roqe Media: @roqemedia
Learn more at www.RoqeMedia.com

Roqe Ep. 395 – Helli Hendesi (“HelliTalk”) | From Business to Purpose

On Episode 396 of Roqe, two timely conversations that reflect the global Iranian experience.

Jian begins with Samin Pourkhalili (Samin Yoga), joining via Zoom from Missouri. Samin shares her journey from Tehran to India to the U.S., her rise as a global Farsi-language yoga instructor, and the tension between authenticity and the digital wellness industry.

Later in the program, Jian hosts an in-studio discussion on the major immigration policy changes announced by the Canadian government just days ago — including reduced temporary visa intake, flatter PR levels, and new barriers for transitioning from study and work permits to permanent residency.

Immigration consultants Vahid Babaei and Hesam Asadi break down what these changes mean for Iranians hoping to come to Canada, Iranians already here, and the broader paradox within the Iranian-Canadian community regarding immigration levels.


This episode of Roqe is presented with the support of Quasar Homes.

Roqe Ep. 396 - Samin Yoga, + New Immigration Laws and Iranians

Conversations from, to, and about the Iranian diaspora.

Roqe is hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.