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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 1 Nov 17, 2025

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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).

Speak Lesson 70 | Thanking a Shopowner Oct 27, 2025

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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.

Interview | Nilo Tabrizy on the Cost of Telling Iran’s Story Oct 22, 2025

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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 story
The rise of forensic journalism and verifying truth in the digital age
The trauma and beauty of living between worlds
The responsibility and tensions within the Iranian diaspora
Why every act of defiance by Iranian women still matters

This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the human side of reporting on revolution, identity, and belonging.

🔗 Related Links

📖 For the Sun After Long Nights by Nilo Tabrizy & Fatemeh Jamalpour → Book Link
🎧 Listen to Nilo Tabrizy on Pod Save America → [Episode Link]
📰 Follow Nilo Tabrizy’s work → Instagram @badboystomeninblackhawkdown | X @NiloTabrizi
📺 Watch the video interview on YouTube → YouTube Link to Full Conversation
🌸 Learn Persian with Leyla Shams → chaiandconversation.com

Speak Lesson 69 | Giving Thanks Oct 20, 2025

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In this lesson, we learn some other tārof-related expressions for expressing thanks, especially when talking to people at a party or other social gathering.

Speak Lesson 68 | Talking with a Neighbor Oct 13, 2025

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In this lesson, we learn a few more tārof-related expressions useful when talking with neighbors and also learn some useful phrases about gardening.

Speak Lesson 67 | How to Talk About School Oct 06, 2025

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In this lesson, we learn how to talk a little bit about school.

Speak Lesson 66 | Tārof When Welcoming Guests Sep 29, 2025

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In this lesson, we continue to explore examples of tārof relevant in situations where we have guests at our houses.

Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 5 Sep 15, 2025

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In this lesson, we cover the thrilling conclusion to the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh with Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani, where Zal returns with Sam to their palace in Zabulistan, where he enjoys a hero's welcome.

Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 4 Sep 08, 2025

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In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the fourth part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh reunites Zal with his father, Sam.

Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 3 Sep 01, 2025

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In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the third part of the Story of Zal, where Sam begins to have dreams that inspire him to search for the son he had previously abandoned.

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