Learn Persian With Chai And Conversation

In this episode, Leyla sits down with Hamid Rahmanian — the Iranian-American artist, filmmaker, and visionary behind some of the most ambitious Shahnameh projects of our time, including the illustrated Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings, the touring live productions Feathers of Fire and Song of the North, and most recently Rostam: Tales from the Shahnameh, a beautifully illustrated edition for younger readers.Hamid takes us back to his childhood in Tehran, where he grew up in a traditional family with no exposure to the arts — not knowing that art school even existed until he was nineteen. He shares the moment Pink Floyd changed his life, the exam that nearly sent him to the front lines of the Iran-Iraq war, and the Saadi poem that pushed him to leave his successful Tehran design firm at the height of his career to start over in New York.The conversation traces his unlikely path through Pratt Institute, Disney Animation (which he begged to be laid off from), early documentary films exploring Iranian ide

In this episode, Leyla sits down with Danesh Nosirvan — the Iranian-American creator known online for identifying perpetrators of public harm and holding them accountable through the court of public opinion. What began as a comedy career took an unexpected turn in 2021, when a single video calling out a child abuser went viral and reshaped the trajectory of his work entirely.Danesh shares the story of his family's arrival in the U.S. after the revolution, growing up as one of the only Iranian kids in his Southern California school, and the quiet weight of watching his immigrant parents accept mistreatment in order to stay safe. That early sense of injustice, he reflects, is what now fuels his willingness to speak up on behalf of others.The conversation moves through some of the most difficult chapters of recent Iranian diaspora life: the unifying surge of the Mahsa Amini protests, the painful fracturing that followed October 7th, and the ongoing struggle to maintain moral clarity when communities are pulled i

In the fourth part of our discussion about the Tale of Zahhak, Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani introduce the story of Fereydoon, who, as we already know by now, eventually kills Zahhak and rules Iran in his place. Zahhak tries in vain to prevent fate, and Fereydoon, even as a child, survives all of Zahhak's attempts to kill him.

In this lesson, we learn from Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani about the nature of the evil king Zahhak's reign and the beginning of his downfall.

In this lesson, we continue our discussion of the famous Tale of Zahhak from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. Here, having covered the background that led to Zahhak's rise to power, we begin to delve into Zahhak's own story in earnest.

In this lesson, we begin our discussion of the famous Tale of Zahhak from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. We use the end of the story of Jamshid as a prelude and begin to learn of how Zahhak becomes an evil king.

In this thrilling conclusion to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté, we cover the words and phrases in the last four lines of the poem. Hafez concludes by acknowledging the difficulties the reader may face and reiterating his encouragement and confidence that God will help the reader overcome them.

In this lesson, we cover the words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. In this part of the poem, Hafez provides the reader encouragement and inspiration for overcoming any difficulties they may face.

In this lesson, we go over more words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. Here, Hafez reassures the reader regarding forces that are beyond their control.

In this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez, which refer broadly to the nature of the heavens and earth.

In this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the first four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez.

In this lesson, we conclude our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and reflect on its implications with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this last part, Ferdowsi explains the origins and significance of human beings in more detail.

In this introductory lesson to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté, we're joined by Prof. Sahba Shayani to talk about the general theme and meaning behind this poem.

In this lesson, we proceed to the fifth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this part of the epic poem, Ferdowsi briefly concludes his discussion of the origins of plants and animals and begins explaining the origins of human beings.

In this lesson, we proceed to the fourth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem explains Ferdowsi's account of the origins of plants and animals.

In this lesson, we proceed to the third part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the formation of the Earth.

In this lesson, we continue our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the very beginnings of the universe.

In this lesson, we begin our discussion of the section of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh called “On the Creation of the World” with Dr. Omid Arabian. We begin with a discussion of just the first two lines (the first two rhyming couplets).

In this lesson, we learn some more expressions for expressing thanks, particularly in the context of visiting a jewelry store or other shop and making arrangements in advance.

In this episode of Growing Up Irooni, journalist Nilo Tabrizy joins Leyla Shams to talk about her groundbreaking book For the Sun After Long Nights — The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising, recently long-listed for the National Book Award. Nilo reflects on what it means to love a country she can no longer return to, the emotional toll of reporting on Iran from afar, and her friendship and collaboration with Iranian journalist Fatemeh Jamalpour, who reported from inside Iran during the Women Life Freedom movement.Together they discuss:The personal cost of choosing to tell Iran’s storyThe rise of forensic journalism and verifying truth in the digital ageThe trauma and beauty of living between worldsThe responsibility and tensions within the Iranian diasporaWhy every act of defiance by Iranian women still mattersThis conversation offers a rare glimpse into the human side of reporting on revolution, identity, and belonging.