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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

A brand new edition of Roqe featuring a rare interview with popular Iranian-German DJ and music producer, Namito. Namito joins Jian in the new Roqe Studio for a comprehensive chat about everything from the evolving status of DJs (from anonymous record-spinners to the new global rock stars) to his remarkable story of fleeing Iran by himself at the age of 13 and joining a commune in Germany. Also, Pegah is in studio at the top of the episode and Jian makes an impassioned case against allowing...

A new season of Roqe kicks off with Episode 338 in our brand new studio. Iranian-American actor and producer Armin Amiri joins Jian live in the studio, for a chat about everything from his time as a refugee to the delicate dance of nude scenes in the Sex in the City sequel. Then co-founders of Divan Events, popular Iranian-Canadian fashion blogger Bahar Eslami and successful event planner Mona Hassanzadeh also arrive in the new Roqe space for an interview. Plus, Pegah joins Jian for the first...

A summer repeat edition of one of our favourite episodes of Roqe as we prepare to launch our new season. In the early 20th Century, in the midst of widespread discontent with the corruption and inefficacy of the Qajar Dynasty, a powerful movement formed and mobilized in Iran, aimed at changing the structure of the monarchy from despotic to constitutional, and to adopt representative governance by introducing the country to a parliamentary system. The Constitutional Revolution is considered a...

A summer repeat edition of one of our favourite episodes of Roqe as we prepare to launch our new season. What was Persian music before the 20th Century? How do we assess the development of sound and musical traditions in Iran during the Safavid and Qajar eras - important influences that may be heard all the way to today? American musician and ethnomusicologist, Dr. Margaret Caton, author of the book, “A Persian Ode: Musical Life in Safavid and Qajar Iran,” joins Jian from Los Angeles for a...

On this episode we once again explore the Persian preoccupation with cars and status with a fun-driving edition. Jian is joined by two very popular experts in the field of cars and Iranians - Vahid Amirimoghaddam of the "Cars I Have Driven" channel (Montreal), and Ali Bekhradi of the "Garage Bekhradi" YouTube/Instagram site (Houston) - to discuss all things auto obsession, from a Mercedes fixation to the vehicular expectations of a nation. Plus Jian announces the lineup and ticket information...

With Iran back in the news again for a multitude of negative reasons, we pivot to a special edition focused entirely on pre-Islamic Republic Iranian history and, particularly, arts and culture and the role of Farah Diba, the last Empress of Iran, and the significant role she played in the cultural renaissance of the 1960s and 70s that resonates to the present day. Jian is joined by Dr. Layla Diba, an Iranian-American independent scholar, art advisor and curator, who was the first woman museum...

A new edition of Roqe (Ep.333) including two feature guests, a very big announcement, and, of course, the Roundup. Iranian-American fitness, nutrition, and wellness guru Sama Ghorbani joins Jian from Los Angeles to talk about her experience in the fitness space, the perils of cardio, questions about Ozempic, and her very popular Instagram account and app, Nutrifitopia. Later, Persian miniature painting master, Alijan Alijanpour, talks about the harrowing and heartbreaking recent story of...

A new edition of Roqe (Ep.332) featuring Iranian-American software engineer, viral video star and stand-up comedian Arash Rowshan in the Roqe Studio. Arash sits down with Jian for an all-encompassing and laughter filled conversation about his journey from engineer to stand-up comic, the ever changing nature of the Iranian diaspora, and the current state of American politics. But first, Smart Pegah and Super P join Jian for a conversation about everything from politics to coffee to a gruesome...

A new edition of Roqe featuring high-profile Iranian activist Elahe Tavakolian, who became an international figure after suffering a horrific injury during the Woman Life Freedom uprising. Elahe joins Jian from Philadelphia to discuss her harrowing story, the journey it has taken her on, her unwavering efforts to raise awareness about human rights violations in Iran, and the implications of the recent election of President Pezeshkian in Iran. Plus, after a number of audience comments inspired...

A new edition of Roqe (Ep.330) featuing the iconic Iranian dancer, choreographer, pop celebrity, activist and cultural pioneer, Mohammad Khordadian, who joins Jian from London for a provocative and no-holds-barred interview about his mixed feelings on his homeland, breaking barriers, finding new love, and giving up on hope for change in Iran. Mr Khordadian makes the case that he hates lies, and he lays out his truth in this interview. Plus Pegah joins Jian for the Roundup about Western...

A new edition of Roqe, featuring a deep dive into the pre-Islam history of Iran with acclaimed cultural historian Dr. Richard Foltz and an examination of how the common conflation of Iranians and Islam (and Islamism) is actually not historically supported. Dr. Foltz joins Jian to discuss Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, shedding light on the ancient Persian empires, Zoroastrianism, and the rich cultural heritage that predates Islamic influence. Dr. Foltz, a Canadian...

A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview in the Roqe Studio with Iranian-American actor, author, and spiritually-driven social media star, Anousha. Anousha joins Jian to discuss the concept of “unlearning,” her mission to follow her intuition, redefining success, and her journey as an “audacious” teenager from Shiraz to Tehran, to England and then to the US, as well as being recently cast as a main character for the second season of the hit Netflix series "The Night Agent". Plus,...

A new episode of Roqe including a feature interview with Iranian-British journalist, broadcaster, and activist. Ali Hamedani, who made history as the first Iranian gay journalist to report on the LGBTQI community and underground life in Iran for an international media platform, BBC. Plus a conversation with Iranian-Canadian activist and lawyer Ardeshir Zarehzadeh about the big news of the Canadian government (finally) putting the IRGC on the terrorist list. And of course, Jian and Pegah...

A brand new episode of Roqe including a feature interview with Iranian-Canadian professional boxer, Salar Gholami - Canada's Cruiserweight Champion. Salar joins Jian live in the Roqe Studio to talk about how boxing became his path to a better life, his sacrifices, his father, and his time as the Captain of the Iranian National Team. Plus, Pegah and Jian convene for the Roqe Roundup to discuss the nuances of Tarof, Jian’s newly coined phrase “the tarof loop,” more Gemini birthdays, and the...

A new episode including a feature interview with superstar British dancer Yasmine Naghdi, Principal Ballerina of The Royal Ballet. Yasmine returns to Roqe and joins Jian from London to discuss her recent international performances and her new book, the first in an upcoming series entitled “Ballet Besties.” Plus, Pegah is in studio for the Roundup to discuss the latest news surrounding the upcoming election in Iran, new horrifying statistics regarding executions in the Islamic Republic, and an...

A new episode of Roqe featuring an in-depth and intimate interview with returning guest, Ali Azimi, a leading light in Persian alternative music, who joins Jian, this time in the Roqe studio. Jian and Ali discuss and preview his forthcoming album “Madineye Fazelab,” his personal life and journey, and more - including a special in-studio acoustic performance. Plus, Pegah joins Jian for a Roundup to discuss the latest laughable commemoration of Raisi at the UN, Khamenei’s twitter rant and...