Episodes

  • Roqe Ep. 347 - Iran During WWII: The Overlooked Devastation + Gazelle Sharmahd

    Roqe Ep. 347 - Iran During WWII: The Overlooked Devastation + Gazelle Sharmahd
    Nov 22 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring an on-stage interview with award-winning Iranian-American author and musician Sepehr Haddad, live at the Roqe Hub, on the occasion of the release of his new book, The Harmless and Necessary Cat, a novel about a family trying to make ends meet in Allied-Occupied Iran during World War II. Given the theme of the book and conversation, Jian begins with an opening essay asking, “Why has the devastation of Iran during World War II been largely ignored?” But first up, Gazelle Sharmahd joins us from Los Angeles to discuss the horrific abduction and killing of her father, Jamshid, a U.S. national and software engineer, by the Islamic Republic regime, and the inaction of Western governments in trying to save him.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 346 - Will Trump Foster Regime Change in Iran? Ari Aramesh, Bijan Kian

    Roqe Ep. 346 - Will Trump Foster Regime Change in Iran? Ari Aramesh, Bijan Kian
    Nov 15 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring an in-depth debate about whether a new Trump Administration will create more opportunity for regime change in Iran. Jian is joined by two prominent Iranian-Americans thinkers who are no strangers to the topic, albeit coming from different sides of the political fence. Democratic Party-supporting lawyer and TV commentator, Arash “Ari” Aramesh joins Jian from Washington DC, and Republican former US senior official who served under three presidents, Bijan Kian, joins from California to discuss the president elect and Iran policy. Plus, Pegah begins the program with her take on the heartbreaking news of the death of Kianoosh Sanjaris.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 345 - The Ozempic Debate, Essay: Don’t be Surprised That Many Iranians Support Trump

    Roqe Ep. 345 - The Ozempic Debate, Essay: Don’t be Surprised That Many Iranians Support Trump
    Nov 8 2024
    Is Ozempic a new wonder drug that is changing the world or an epidemic with dangerous consequences? On a new edition of Roqe, we feature an in-depth exploration of the trendy weight-loss “miracle” drug with a compelling trio medical experts. Iranian-American Naturopathic Medical Doctor, fitness instructor, and meditation practitioner, Dr. Afrouz Demeri, Iranian-American Chief of Internal Medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital in New York and social media star, Dr. Kayvan “Dr. Kay” Mirhadi, and Iranian-Canadian endocrinologist and metabolic disorders specialist Dr. Jaleh Hassanloo all join Jian for the great Ozempic debate. Plus Jian opens the show with an essay looking at the results of the American election entitled, “Don’t be Surprised That Many Iranians Support Trump.”
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 344 - Ardavan Hatami, "Do we NEED a BMW?" Essay

    Roqe Ep. 344 - Ardavan Hatami, "Do we NEED a BMW?" Essay
    Oct 31 2024
    A new episode of Roqe featuring a very entertaining interview with Berlin-based Iranian singer, composer, and instrumentalist, Ardavan Hatami. Ardavan visits the Roqe Studio and joins Jian for a conversation about everything from his viral hit song, “Khodanoor,” to getting arrested over 100 times in Iran as a street performer and finding his path in Turkey in exile. Ardavan also exclusively performs live in the new Roqe Hub. Plus, Jian opens the show with an essay about the Iranian expat obsession with status and BMWs (“Do we NEED a BMW?”) and Pegah joins Jian for a roundup including the outrageous killing of Jamshid Sharmahd by the Iranian government this week.
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 343 - Kaveh Yaghmaie, "Iranians Being Critical" Essay

    Roqe Ep. 343 - Kaveh Yaghmaie, "Iranians Being Critical" Essay
    Oct 25 2024
    A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with acclaimed Iranian-Canadian composer, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Kaveh Yaghmaei. Kaveh joins Jian live in the Roqe Studio to share his distinct approach to blending Western and Persian musical traditions, his take on modern rock, and his thoughts on the ongoing suppression of artists under Iran’s theocratic regime. Plus, Pegah joins Jian to discuss his opening essay, which calls on Iranians to stop mocking fellow Iranians speaking English, and to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Ahang Kowsar.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 342 - Reza Rohani & Sara Naeini, + Ode to Coldplay

    Roqe Ep. 342 - Reza Rohani & Sara Naeini, + Ode to Coldplay
    Oct 18 2024
    A brand new edition of Roqe featuring a dynamic and compelling powerhouse duo in Iranian popular music. Iranian-American singer Sara Naeini and Iranian-American composer, producer, and pianist Reza Rohani join Jian live in the Roqe studio for an in-depth conversation about their music, the viral videos that have taken the internet by storm, and the unique chemistry that fuels their performances both on and off stage. Plus, Jian kicks off the show with an ode to the British band Coldplay, and their Iranian connection, and Pegah and Jian discuss the cultural significance of Mehregan.
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    1 hr
  • Roqe Ep. 341 - Max Jamali, Cyrus International Film Fest

    Roqe Ep. 341 - Max Jamali, Cyrus International Film Fest
    Oct 10 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring award-winning photographer and mixed-media luxury artist, Max Jamali. Max joins Jian live in the Roqe Studio for a conversation about his art, his business approach, and his popular events and exhibitions. Later, Iranian-Canadian film expert and CEO of the Cyrus International Film Festival, Dr. Amir Ganjavie, along with Executive Director Dr. Javad Panah, join Jian to discuss a festival that has grown in stature and prominence, showcasing hundreds of films from Iran, by Iranians, and by other Middle Eastern and diverse voices over the years. This weekend, Oct 12-14, marks the latest incarnation of the Cyrus Fest. Plus, Pegah and Jian discuss the existential question of unity among the Iranian diaspora, the struggles of getting camera-ready for this season of Roqe.
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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 340 - Roqe Live 3 - Live in Thornhill, Canada - Sept 27, 2024

    Roqe Ep. 340 - Roqe Live 3 - Live in Thornhill, Canada - Sept 27, 2024
    Oct 2 2024
    Roqe Live 3 - FULL SHOW AUDIO - recorded live at City Playhouse Theatre in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada - Sept 27th, 2024. Featuring Jian Ghomeshi, Pegah Ganji, Nooshafarin, Anousha, Solmaz Barghir. Performances by Arian and Sara, Golrokh Aminian, Nooshafarin and Ghazal Akhoondzadeh. And a special presentation of the Roqe Media Icon Award to legendary Shahbal Shabpareh with special guest, Babak Amini.
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    2 hrs and 1 min