Episodes

  • Roqe Ep. 351 - Tech Trailblazing on the 16th Floor - Soheil Alavi

    Roqe Ep. 351 - Tech Trailblazing on the 16th Floor - Soheil Alavi
    Dec 19 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring an in-studio conversation with Iranian-Canadian tech innovator and entrepreneur, Soheil Alavi, the creator and host of the popular Persian podcast, Tabaghe16 (the 16th Floor). Soheil joins Jian on technology, immigration, podcasting and integration - in a wide-ranging and personal chat. Plus, Pegah makes her return to catch up with Jian on updates for Roqe Live 4, explore the concept of Persian Christmas, and more. And Jian kicks off the episode with an essay entitled, Imagine if Iran’s Tech Trailblazers Were Allowed to Soar.
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 350 - PANEL: Is the Trudeau Government Betraying Iranian Immigrants?

    Roqe Ep. 350 - PANEL: Is the Trudeau Government Betraying Iranian Immigrants?
    Dec 13 2024
    A new episode of Roqe focused on the plight of recent Iranian immigrants in Canada after a decision by the federal government to roll back its immigration policies that invited millions of newcomers in the last three years. Temporary residents, like international students and work permit holders, are now being told there’s no room for them anymore - and this will directly affect many Iranian newcomers. We convene a panel with respected Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant Mehran Aminian and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Houshang Lotfi, joining Jian in the Roqe Studio. Plus, Jian kicks off the show with an essay entitled, “Is the Trudeau Government betraying Iranian immigrants?”
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 349 - Tehran, Salar Gholami, Roqe Live 4 Announcement

    Roqe Ep. 349 - Tehran, Salar Gholami, Roqe Live 4 Announcement
    Dec 6 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring a high-energy in-studio interview with comedian, actor and activist, Tehran, as well as a passionate conversation with Iranian-Canadian boxing champion Salar Gholami, who joins Jian in the Roqe Studio in advance of his huge fight for the WBC North American title. Plus, Jian announces the much-anticipated lineup for Roqe Live 4, coming on Feb 6th, 2025.
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 348 - Mazyar Fallahi Returns!, Essay: The Connectivity of Iranians Will Never Fade

    Roqe Ep. 348 - Mazyar Fallahi Returns!, Essay: The Connectivity of Iranians Will Never Fade
    Nov 28 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring a very funny and engaging full hour interview with beloved Iranian singer-songwriter, Mazyar Fallahi. Mazyar joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for a conversation about everything from how he met his wife, to Pink Floyd, to coming through his sadness, and learning to use English swear words with aplomb! He also performs a new song in the Roqe Hub space. Plus, Jian opens the show with an essay with his theory on how collective trauma has bonded Iranians together in the Diaspora, entitled, “The Connectivity of Iranians Will Never Fade.”
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 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