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The CultureHug Podcast

The CultureHug Podcast

By: Culture Hug
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 CultureHug is a podcast that brings people closer through the power of real talk, raw stories, and radical empathy. Created by a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a deep passion for cross-cultural connection, CultureHug explores what makes us different—and what brings us beautifully together.

Each episode dives into a wide range of interesting topics—from decoding cultural norms, challenging bias, to exploring the role of food, traditions, and historical trauma. We’ll ask the bold questions you’ve been too afraid to voice, and share practical skills to help you connect across cultures with authenticity and respect.

Whether you’re curious, confused, or simply craving deeper connection in a divided world, CultureHug is your space to learn, unlearn, and grow. One hug (and one episode) at a time.Copyright Culture Hug Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Understanding Iran: Beyond the Headlines, Inside the Culture

    Understanding Iran: Beyond the Headlines, Inside the Culture
    Jun 29 2025
    In this episode of The CultureHug Podcast, we take a heartfelt journey through the complexities of Iranian identity, peeling back layers of culture, cuisine, and global perception.Imagine walking through modern-day Iran: the aromas of saffron and grilled kebab, the beauty of Persian rugs, the celebration of Nowruz (Persian New Year), and the role of tradition in daily life—without alcohol, but rich in hospitality.We also confront the shadows: media-fueled Islamophobia, racial bias, and the lasting impact of strained U.S.–Iran relations. How has the West misunderstood Iran? What narratives shape our view—and what’s left out?This episode invites you to challenge assumptions, respect cultural boundaries, and understand what it truly means to show up with empathy. Whether you're Iranian, Persian, or simply curious, this is a space to connect, unlearn, and bring more CultureHug into your world.Sources: For Iranian Identity, History, and Terminology:◦"Call me Iranian - This Magazine": This source offers a personal narrative on navigating Iranian identity in the Western diaspora, especially post-9/11. It delves into the historical reasons behind the preference for "Persian" over "Iranian" (association with the Persian Empire vs. "hostage crisis" or "Axis of Evil") and the author's decision to embrace "Iranian" as a rejection of the "white gaze". It highlights the diversity of ethnic groups within Iran (beyond just Persians, including Azeris, Kurds, Afro-Iranians, Arabs) and the historical impact of the Pahlavi dynasty on nationalizing Persian language and suppressing minority cultures.◦"Iranian vs Persian: What's the Difference? - ThoughtCo" and "Name of Iran - Wikipedia": These sources provide a clear, factual breakdown of the terms "Iranian" (nationality) and "Persian" (ethnicity/culture). They detail the historical shift in official nomenclature (Reza Shah Pahlavi's 1935 decree to use "Iran" and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's later allowance for both). They also touch upon the etymology of both names, connecting "Iran" to "Aryans" and "Persia" to the ancient Greek term for the Parsa region.◦"When was Persia renamed “Iran”…and Why? - Far Horizons" and "Why Persia Became Iran: The Story Behind The Name Shift - Surfiran": These sources complement the above by providing further historical context for the 1935 name change as a move towards modernization and cultural sovereignty, and addressing the misconceptions of "Aryan" identity in the Western world.•For Iranian Cuisine and Culture:◦"Beginner Persian recipes? : r/Cooking - Reddit" and "Iranian Food and Drink in Iran | Persian Touring" and "Persian Food 101: Recipes to Get You Started at Home - Serious Eats": These provide a wealth of information on specific Persian dishes like aash reshteh, fesenjan, ghormeh sabzi, Shirazi salad, tahdig, zereshk polow, kotlet, kuku sabzi, khoresh karafs, dizi (Abgoosht), koobideh kebab, joojeh kebab, sholeh zard (saffron rice pudding), and dolmeh. They also cover staple foods like rice and bread, essential flavors and cooking techniques, and traditional drinks such as doogh, sharbat, and faloodeh. The "Serious Eats" source also explains the "sofreh" concept for family-style meals.◦"Understanding Iranian Culture: Traditions And Social Norms - OrientTrips": This source details core Iranian cultural values such as family, hospitality ("A guest is a gift from God"), and respect for elders. It describes key traditions like Nowruz (Persian New Year) and the Haft-Seen table, and Ashura (a significant Shia Muslim mourning ritual). It also touches on Persian arts like poetry (Rumi, Hafez, Omar Khayyam), calligraphy, and miniature painting, and provides insights into social norms and etiquette including greetings, gift-giving, removing shoes, and dress codes.◦"Nowruz - Persian New Year, Origins & Traditions - History.com": Offers an in-depth look at Nowruz, its Zoroastrian origins, symbolism of renewal, and specific traditions including the Haft-Sin table items.◦"The Weaving History of Persian Carpets | Office for Science and Society - McGill University": This source provides information on Persian carpet weaving, its long history (over 2,500 years), the Pazyryk Carpet, and the intricate process involving materials and dyes.◦"Iranian Cinema - MERIP": This source can be used to discuss the resilience and transformation of Iranian cinema after the 1979 revolution, its role in social critique, and how it addresses themes like women and romantic love under strict interpretations of Islamic law.•For Geopolitics, Human Rights, and Social Issues:◦"Community Memorandum: Recommendations for A Foundational White House Islamophobia Strategy - Squarespace": This is a critical source for discussing Islamophobia in a broad sense, including structural and gendered Islamophobia, and its intersection with anti-Palestinian racism (APR) and anti-Arab racism. It highlights the link between U.S. foreign policy/military ...
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    48 mins
  • Understanding Israel: Culture, Conflict, and Change

    Understanding Israel: Culture, Conflict, and Change
    Jun 22 2025

    In this episode of The CultureHug Podcast, we explore Israel. From its dramatic history and diverse culture to its modern tech scene and ongoing conflicts, we explore what makes this small Middle Eastern country so unique. Drawing on real-world intel (with a little help from the CIA World Factbook), we’ll talk borders, food, startups, social dynamics, and everything in between.

    Tune in for a balanced, light-hearted crash course that’s perfect whether you’re new to the topic or just curious for a fresh perspective.We also touch on Israels challenging hixtory including geography and politics. Please use the sources maps if you desire to follow along at certain parts of the episode.



    Sources:
    • Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, January 18). Travel Facts - Israel. The World Factbook.
    • Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, June 10). Israel. The World Factbook.
    • Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, June 10). Israel Country Factsheet. The World Factbook.
    • Haddad, M., & Chughtai, A. (2023, November 27). Israel-Palestine conflict: A brief history in maps and charts. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/27/palestine-and-israel-brief-history-maps-and-charts
    • Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. (2025). Maps: Changing maps of Palestine / Israel. ICAHD. https://icahd.org/resources/maps/
    • Leuenberger, C., & Schnell, I. (2020). Constructing Israel’s Borders. In The Politics of Maps: Cartographic Constructions of Israel/Palestine. Oxford Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190076238.003.0007.
    • B’Tselem. (n.d.). Interactive Map: The West Bank and the Gaza Strip. B’Tselem. https://www.btselem.org/map
    • The Israeli Flag: Symbolism and Design. Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, January 18). Travel Facts - Israel. The World Factbook.
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    54 mins
  • Understanding Male Mental Health: From Stigma to Support

    Understanding Male Mental Health: From Stigma to Support
    Jun 20 2025
    In this episode of CultureHug, we dive into the hidden realities of men’s mental health—where stigma, silence, and societal expectations collide. From domestic violence and depression to toxic masculinity and emotional suppression, we explore why many men struggle in silence and touch on the intersectionalities of queer, trans, straight and BIPOC men related to mental health.

    We break down the science, the cultural roots, and the lyrics of Dax’s music to examine how vulnerability can be strength. Plus, we share practical ways to support the men in your life and explain why men's mental health is a feminist issue, too.



    Sources:
    • "A Guide for Male Survivors of Domestic Violence" (Excerpts from DomesticShelters.org)
    • "Dax - From A Man's Perspective (Lyrics)" (Excerpts from the transcript of the video uploaded on the YouTube channel "VALKYRIE'S MUSIC")
    • "Dax - From A Man's Perspective | Reaction to Vulnerability, Healing & Men's Mental Health" (Excerpts from the transcript of the video uploaded on the YouTube channel "Happy Man Happy Home")
    • "Dax Breaks Down Barriers with “From A Man's Perspective” - Neon Music" (Excerpts from Neon Music by Marcus Adetola)
    • "Dax Discusses His New Album 'From A Man's Perspective' | TikTok" (Excerpts from TikTok by ABC News Live)
    • "Engaging Men in Psychological Treatment: A Scoping Review - PMC - PubMed Central" (Excerpts from PMC - PubMed Central by Zac E Seidler et al.)
    • "Exploring Dax's "To Be a Man": A Reflection on Masculinity and Vulnerability - Official Site of L. Neil Thrussell" (Excerpts from Official Site of L. Neil Thrussell)
    • "Feminism is for Men, Too - Feminist Majority Foundation" (Excerpts from Feminist Majority Foundation by Cynthia Sutanto)
    • "How Society's Male Gender Expectations Are Tough on Men's Mental Health" (Excerpts from FHE Health by Chris Foy)
    • "I can't believe I got interviewed on @ABC News about my New Album “Fro... | TikTok" (Excerpts from TikTok by Dax)
    • "Male depression: Understanding the issues - Mayo Clinic" (Excerpts from Mayo Clinic Staff)
    • "Males and Mental Health Stigma - PMC" (Excerpts from PMC by Benita N Chatmon)
    • "Men's Health Month | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)" (Excerpts from NAMI)
    • "Men's Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors: An Intersectional Analysis - PMC" (Excerpts from PMC by Mike C Parent et al.)
    • "Men's Mental Health Stigma - Johns Hopkins University Human Resources" (Excerpts from Johns Hopkins University Human Resources)
    • "Men's loneliness is a feminist issue in Men Without Men | The Clayman Institute for Gender Research - Stanford University" (Excerpts from The Clayman Institute for Gender Research, Stanford University by Claire Urbanski)
    • "Redefining Masculinity in Mental Health, - Individual Care of Texas" (Excerpts from Individual Care of Texas)
    • "Societal Expectations and The Impact on Men's Mental Health - Higgins Wellness" (Excerpts from Higgins Wellness by Noah McCarter)
    • "Suicide Data and Statistics - CDC" (Excerpts from CDC)
    • "To Be A Man by Dax: Review - Illustrate Magazine" (Excerpts from Illustrate Magazine by Gabe Finch)
    • "Understanding Boys' Mental Health - Office of Children's Mental Health - Wisconsin.gov" (Excerpts from Wisconsin.gov, Office of Children's Mental Health)
    • "Understanding Male Pain Through Song Lyrics - TikTok" (Excerpts from TikTok by Dax)
    • "Understanding Pain Through Lyrics: A Man's Perspective - TikTok" (Excerpts from TikTok by Dax)
    • "Why Feminism Is Good For Men's Mental Health - Year13" (Excerpts from Year13 by James)
    • "“I'm Fine”: How to Talk to the Men in Your Life About Their Mental Health | Jefferson Center" (Excerpts from Jefferson Center)
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    35 mins
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