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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 2 Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the second part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh spots the abandoned baby.

Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 1 Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson, we begin our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. We specifically begin covering the first part of the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh.

Interview | From Oklahoma to Shahnameh: Daniel Nayeri, Author of Everything Sad is Untrue on Memory, Myth and Belonging Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Daniel Nayeri, author of the acclaimed autobiographical novel Everything Sad is Untrue, talks about growing up as an Iranian refugee in Oklahoma, the mythic structure of memory, and the stories we inherit—true or not. He reflects on what it means to carry generational trauma, how he began writing the book in a Brooklyn bathroom, and the long journey of learning to tell his family’s story with emotional honesty.

We discuss the magic of Persian storytelling traditions, from Shahnameh to Khosrow and Shirin, why he originally wrote the book for adults, and how his father reacted to seeing himself as a character on the page. Daniel also shares a preview of his newest novel, The Teacher of Nomadland, a literary adventure set in WWII-era Iran, and why he wanted to sneak a Farsi lesson into the heart of it.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever tried to make sense of a fractured past—and found something beautiful in the pieces.

📚 Related Links

Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri (Amazon):
https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Sad-Untrue-True-Story/dp/1646140001
The Teacher of Nomadland (Preorder):
https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/the-teacher-of-nomadland
Daniel Nayeri on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/danielnayeri
Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation:
https://chaiandconversation.com
Daniel's publisher:
https://www.levinequerido.com/daniel-nayeri

Poetry | Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, Part 6 Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this final part of our discussion of Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, we cover the remaining lines, explaining how love transcends even existence on Earth and applies to the entire universe.

Poetry | Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, Part 5 Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this fifth part of the discussion of Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, we cover the two more lines that describe the life-giving nature of love.

Speak Lesson 65 | Tārof at a Gallery Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson, we learn some examples of tārof appropriate for talking to older people and see some examples in a conversation at an art gallery.

Interview | Tara Grammy on Identity, Comedy, and Being All Up in Your Business Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In this laugh-out-loud and deeply personal conversation, Iranian Canadian actor, writer, and creator Tara Grammy joins Leyla to talk about growing up as an Iranian weirdo, navigating diaspora identity, creating her hit comedy series Soosi Lee, and embracing curiosity (aka being fusooli) as a cultural superpower. From getting discovered by Woody Harrelson in a tiny Toronto theatre to producing a DIY Iranian Borat-meets-Cribs series in LA, Tara's story is as inspiring as it is hilarious.

She shares her journey through acting, motherhood, cultural expectations, language guilt, and the power of telling your own story—even when no one gives you permission.

🔗 Related Links:

📺 Watch Foozooli: https://www.instagram.com/taragrammy
🎥 Simple Wedding (film): IMDb
📝 Tara’s Harper’s Bazaar essay: Joyful Rebellion – Harper’s Bazaar
📚 Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation: https://www.chaiandconversation.com
🎧 Follow Tara on Instagram: @taragrammy

📣 Connect with Us:

Follow Growing Up Irooni on Instagram: @chaiandconversation
Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Poetry | Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, Part 4 Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

In this fourth part of the discussion of Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, we cover the next two lines in detail, regarding the indispensability of love.

Speak Lesson 64 | Meeting New People Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson, we learn some more expressions we can use when meeting new people and a new expression related to tārof.

Poetry | Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, Part 3 Jul 06, 2025

Show notes

In this third part of the discussion of Nizami Ganjavi's sokhanee chand dar eshgh, we cover the next two lines in detail, beginning to contemplate the importance of love to all human beings.

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