Roqe
Society & Culture
About
Conversations from, to, and about the Iranian diaspora.Roqe is hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.
Episodes
- Roqe Ep. 439 - IRAN RISES - Can China Decide Iran's Future? - Shahram Kholdi, Shayan Sami'i
Roqe Ep.439 - Can China Decide Iran’s Future? As Donald Trump meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, Iran is quietly becoming one of the most consequential subjects behind closed doors. On this edition of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay entitled “The…
- Roqe Ep. 438 - IRAN RISES - Do We Return to “Normal” - Or Not Yet? - Panel
Do we return to “normal” - or not yet? For many Iranians in the diaspora, recent months have been marked by trauma, war, executions, fear for loved ones, and a collective decision to pause parts of ordinary life out of solidarity with thos…
- Roqe Ep. 437 - IRAN RISES - Lion & Sun Revolution: Stalled or Still Alive? Bijan Kian, Pantea Modiri
Roqe Ep. 437 - IRAN RISES - The Lion & Sun Revolution: Stalled or Still Alive? As the movement against the Islamic Republic enters a more uncertain and psychologically complicated phase, many Iranians are asking a difficult question: has t…
- Roqe Ep. 436 - IRAN RISES - Should Iran be Banned from World Cup 2026? - Panel Debate
On this episode of Roqe, a question that sounds like sport… but cuts far deeper. As the World Cup approaches, many Iranians are facing a painful dilemma: does Team Melli represent a nation - or the Islamic Republic regime? In the opening e…
- Roqe Ep. 435 - IRAN RISES - Who Benefits from the Delay? - Shayan Sami'i, Picasso Moin
Roqe Ep.435 - IRAN RISES - Who Benefits from the Delay? - Shayan Sami’i, Picasso Moin The regime wants you to think it’s over - it’s not. On this episode, Jian opens with a message to those declaring the Iranian uprising finished, making t…
- Roqe Ep. 434 - IRAN RISES - The Role of Alternative Media - Nazenin Ansari, Andy Alem, Kiarash Kian
We miss the voices of Iran. In this episode, Jian opens with a poetic and powerful essay on the impact of the Iranian regime’s internet blackouts - not only as a violation of human rights, but as a loss of connection, clarity, and directio…
- Roqe Ep. 433 - IRAN RISES - How This War Is Changing Us - Shiva Negar, Satin, Sadaf Yasini
Jian opens this episode of Roqe with an essay titled “The War Is Changing Us,” reflecting on how the past four months - from the January massacres inside Iran to the current war - have affected Iranians not only inside the country, but acr…
- Roqe Ep. 432 - IRAN RISES - The War of Perception - Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
On this episode of Roqe, Iranian-British journalist and documentary filmmaker Bozorgmehr Sharafedin joins from Washington for a timely and revealing conversation on the state of Iran and the global conversation surrounding it. As Head of D…
- Roqe Ep. 431 - IRAN RISES - Who Is In Charge? - Lisa Daftari, Shahram Kholdi
Jian opens Episode 431 of Roqe with an essay titled The Story Has Been Hijacked, reflecting on how the global conversation around Iran has shifted away from the human rights movement that brought millions into the streets - and why it is u…
- Roqe Ep. 430 - IRAN RISES - The Illusion of Calm - Ali Hamedani, Shayan Sami'i, Sadeq Bigdeli
A ceasefire has been declared - but the tension has not eased. On this edition of Roqe - Iran Rises, Jian is joined by Ali Hamedani (London), Shayan Sami’i (Washington), and Sadeq Bigdeli (Toronto) to assess where things stand as talks bre…
- Roqe Ep. 429 - IRAN RISES - Regime Unchanged - Behnam Taleblu
As a ceasefire takes hold and attention shifts, what are we left with? On this episode, Jian opens with an essay arguing that the recent war has diverted global focus away from what he describes as one of the most consequential events in r…
- Roqe Ep. 428 - IRAN RISES - Consequential Moment - Dr. Shahram Kholdi, Dr. Mahdi Ghodsi
On this edition of Roqe, Dr. Shahram Kholdi (Southwestern Ontario) and Dr. Mahdi Ghodsi (Vienna) join Jian for a timely conversation at a consequential moment in the Iran crisis. With a deadline from Donald Trump threatening major escalati…
- Roqe Ep. 427 - IRAN RISES - A Deal Means More of This - Andrew Ghalili
On this episode of Roqe, Andrew Ghalili joins Jian from New York for a conversation on the dangers of pursuing another deal with the Islamic Republic. They discuss the aftermath of President Trump’s recent speech, why the idea of a “modera…
- Roqe Ep. 426 - IRAN RISES - False Narratives - Dr. Kaveh Elahiyoun, Nazenin Ansari, Sepehr Vakil
On this episode of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay titled “When the Truth Is Hard to Find - Ask Who Benefits,” exploring how propaganda, projection, and competing agendas are shaping the global conversation about Iran during a time of inter…
- Roqe Ep. 425 - IRAN RISES - Washington Is Calling - Bijan Kian
On this episode of Roqe, Jian is joined by Bijan Kian - a returning guest who consistently sparks strong reactions from the Roqe audience. A former senior U.S. official with decades of experience across public and private sectors, Kian off…
- Roqe Ep. 424 - IRAN RISES - Decoding Trump - Shooka Bidarian, Shayan Sami'i, Ardeshir Zarezadeh
On this episode of Roqe, Jian is joined by a global panel to unpack a fast-moving and uncertain moment around Iran and the role of Donald Trump’s rhetoric and positioning in shaping what may come next. Joining from London, Washington, and…
- Roqe Ep. 423 - IRAN RISES - Beware Regime Narratives in Western Media - Forouq Canaani
On this episode of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay titled “Beware the Regime Narratives in Western Media.” As the conflict surrounding Iran continues, Jian examines how Islamic Republic propaganda can travel through Western media ecosystems…
- Roqe Ep. 422 - IRAN RISES - The Mullahs Are Not Winning - Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi speaks with Iranian-British journalist Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, head of digital news at Iran International. Joining Jian from Washington, Sharafedin discusses the rapidly unfolding situation surrounding…
- Roqe Ep. 421 - IRAN RISES - Will U.S. Intervention Bring Change? - Ari Aramesh
On this episode of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay about the brave Iranians who took to the streets in recent weeks demanding regime change - and the promise many in the diaspora made to stand with them. As war imagery dominates the headlin…
- Roqe Ep. 420 - IRAN RISES - Zahhak is Dead, What's Next? - Behnam Taleblu, Shayan Samii
With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed following a joint United States–Israel military operation inside Iran, the political and strategic landscape has shifted dramatically. What comes next? Jian sits down with: Shayan Samii - U.S. nation…
- Roqe Ep. 419 - IRAN RISES - Fighting Disinformation - Sadaf Yasini, Pegah Ganji, Daniel Diba
On this edition of Roqe, Jian and guests examine the growing wave of disinformation surrounding Iran in Western media and public discourse. Joining from Vancouver, Sadaf Yasini, and from Ottawa, longtime Roqe contributor Pegah Ganji, the c…
- Roqe Ep. 418 - IRAN RISES - The Students Arise! - Dr. Sepehr Vakil
As student protests surge across Iran, universities are once again becoming epicenters of open defiance. In this episode of Roqe, we focus on the courage of Iranian students demonstrating right now - chanting forbidden slogans, confronting…
- Roqe Ep. 417 - IRAN RISES - Iranians Are Already at War - Ali Hamedani, Mahdi Ghodsi, Ardeshir Zarezadeh
In Episode 417 of Roqe, Jian challenges the sudden rise of Western “anti-war” rhetoric on Iran by reframing the reality on the ground. Iranians are not debating a future conflict - they are already living through one, as the Islamic Republ…
- Ep. 416 - IRAN RISES - An Epic Weekend - Farnoush Hamidian,Laleh Tangsiri,Navid Negahban,Pegah Ganji
This episode of Roqe takes stock of an extraordinary Global Day of Action for a Free Iran, with major demonstrations in Toronto, Los Angeles, and Munich - and coordinated rallies across the diaspora following a call initiated by Prince Rez…
- Roqe Ep. 415 - IRAN RISES - The Folly of the UN - Lisa Daftari, Shayan Samii, Bahador Alast
Jian opens Episode 415 of Roqe – Iran Rises with a sober assessment of the United Nations, arguing that despite its language and ideals, it is structurally incapable of protecting Iranian civilians or advancing the revolution now underway.…
- Roqe Ep. 414 - IRAN RISES - What Will Trump Do? - Khosro Isfahani, Picasso Moin, Kamyar Mahinsa
On this episode of Roqe – Iran Rises, Jian is joined by Khosro Isfahani, Research Director at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, for a clear-eyed conversation about where the Iranian revolution stands right now, what intervention ac…
- Roqe Ep. 413 - IRAN RISES - The Diaspora Mobilizes - Salar Gholami
Jian opens this episode of Roqe with an essay making the case for calling this uprising the Lion and Sun Revolution. He reflects on the Lion and Sun flag being raised in Richmond Hill, Canada, while making one thing unmistakably clear - sy…
- Roqe Ep. 412 - IRAN RISES - Feel the Power When Iranians Unite - Homa Sarshar
Jian opens Episode 412 of Roqe – Iran Rises with a forceful opening essay on the power of unity - as Iranians around the world shatter old stereotypes of division and rally around shared symbols, identity, and purpose. He’s then joined by…
- Roqe Ep. 411 - IRAN RISES - The Anger is Justified - Nazenin Ansari, Sadeq Bigdeli
Jian opens Episode 411 of Roqe – Iran Rises with a searing essay explaining why the anger felt by Iranians around the world right now is not excessive, emotional, or misplaced - but informed, earned, and justified. He’s then joined by Naze…
- Roqe Ep. 410 - IRAN RISES - The Case for Western Intervention - Farzin Nadimi, Shayan Samii
Jian is joined by Farzin Nadimi, senior Iran and defense analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Shayan Samii, a U.S. national security analyst specializing in strategic communications. The panel examines why Western…
- Roqe Ep. 409 - IRAN RISES - To Those Who Remain Silent... - Erfan Paydar, Forouq Canaani
Jian opens Episode 409 of Roqe - Iran Rises with a direct message to members of the Iranian diaspora who have chosen silence during one of the most violent chapters in the Islamic Republic’s history - not out of ignorance or absence, but o…
- Roqe Ep. 408 - IRAN RISES - Don't Look Away - Bijan Kian
In this episode of Roqe – as part of the Iran Rises series - Jian reflects on a defining moment in Iran’s ongoing revolution as internet blackouts begin to crack and evidence of mass violence by the Islamic Republic regime against civilian…
- Roqe Ep.407 - IRAN RISES - Alone Again? - Gazelle Sharmahd, Siamak Aram, Shayan Samii
What is happening in Iran can no longer be described as a “regime crackdown.” It is a military occupation of civilians by their own state. In this urgent new episode of Roqe, Jian opens with a forceful essay addressing the scale of violenc…
- Roqe Ep. 406 - IRAN RISES - Now It's Urgent - Ari Aramesh, Dr. Kay, Lisa Daftari
As protests escalate inside Iran and internet access is increasingly restricted, the urgency of this moment continues to sharpen. On this edition of Roqe (Episode 406) - the third installment of the ongoing Iran Rises series - Jian leads a…
- Roqe Ep. 405 - Iran Rises - Turning a Dream Into History
Jian continues the Iran Rises series with a timely panel discussion examining the unfolding protest movement inside Iran. Recorded on January 8, 2026, this episode brings together four perspectives - street-level insight, security analysis…
- Roqe Ep. 404 - IRAN RISES - Nazenin Ansari, Kamyar Mahinsa, Ali Fathollah-Nejad
As mass protests continue across Iran, Roqe launches IRAN RISES, a new twice-weekly series dedicated to understanding an uprising that is not simply about economic unrest – but about legitimacy, power, and regime change. This episode opens…
- Roqe – Episode 403 - Iranian Hopes, Fears and Resolutions for 2026
In this special New Year’s Day episode of Roqe, Jian convenes eight prominent Iranian voices from around the world to reflect on the year that was and the year ahead. The episode opens with a freshly recorded opening essay responding to th…
- Roqe Ep. 402 - A Very Persian Christmas: Iranians, Alcohol, and a Forbidden History - Dr. R. Matthee
Nothing says Christmas quite like talking about Iranians and drinking. On this Christmas Day edition of Roqe, we revisit one of our most compelling conversations - an exploration of alcohol’s long, complicated, and often contradictory plac…
- Roqe Ep. 401 – “Cars I Have Driven” – Vahid Amirimoghaddam
In Episode 401, Jian welcomes automotive content creator Vahid Amirimoghaddam into the Roqe Studio. Vahid is the force behind the Instagram page “Cars I Have Driven,” with more than 400,000 followers watching the cars he gets behind the wh…
- Roqe Ep.400 - 400 Episodes! - The Original Cast Returns
On Episode 400 of Roqe, Jian reunites members of the original team - Groovy Shaya, Captain Reza and Smart Pegah - for a special roundtable reflecting on the five and a half years since the show launched in April 2020. The conversation expl…
- Roqe Ep. 399 - 12 Questions for Dr. Kay (Kayvan Mirhadi)
Episode 399 of Roqe features the return of Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi – “Dr. Kay” – the Chief of Internal Medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital in New York and one of the most trusted medical voices for Iranians around the world. He first gained wi…
- Roqe Ep. 398 - How Dire is the Environmental Crisis in Iran? - Roozbeh Eskandari, Farid Safari
On this week's edition, Jian offers a clear and comprehensive primer on the environmental crisis now affecting Iran - a polycrisis that touches the country's air, water, energy grid, and public health. Jian outlines recent AQI levels in ma…
- Roqe Ep. 397 - Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam Returns!
On this edition of Roqe, the legendary artist Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam returns to the Roqe Studio — in full colour, full force, and fresh off a packed performance of Aref Nameh in Toronto. Jian speaks with Shahrokh about his bold new stagin…
- Roqe Ep. 396 - Samin Yoga, + New Immigration Laws and Iranians
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 ri…
- Roqe Ep. 395 – Helli Hendesi (“HelliTalk”) | From Business to Purpose
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 rem…
- Roqe Ep. 394 - Fitness in the Social Media Age: What is Real? - Sepideh Faraji, Sama Ghorbani
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 d…
- Roqe Ep. 393 - Milad Derakshani, Dara Daraee, Bahar Falsafi (Triomoon)
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 Persi…
- Roqe Ep. 392 – Icons of Design: Hossein Amanat, Kamran Diba + Roundup: “Little Iran” Backlash
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 dow…
- Roqe Ep. 391 - Roqe Live 5!
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 roll…
- Roqe Ep. 390 - Shabnam Tolouei — Art Without Borders
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 h…