Award-winning comparative literature scholar and poet Dr. Persis Karim pioneers the first-of-its-kind Center For Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University, exploring culture, communities and identity.

Episode 2: Zahra Billoo

Oct 5th, 2018 40m 59s

Civil rights attorney Zahra Billoo is a courageous voice for change amidst rising national tensions, working to build bridges with allies on civil and human rights issues for the American Muslim community.

Episode 3: Dany Doueiri

Oct 5th, 2018 44m 45s

Leaving a war behind, Professor Dany Doueiri developed the only B.A. program in Arabic in the California State University system with a mission to help students examine global events with an understanding of Arab culture.

Episode 4: Taraneh Hemami

Oct 5th, 2018 32m 58s

Iranian-American visual artist Taraneh Hemami creates connections through experimental projects between artists, writers and scholars, while inspiring the next generation to explore essential topics from identity to the reflections of the every

Episode 5: Mana Kharrazi

Oct 5th, 2018 39m 23s

Exploring culture, identity and community, Mana Kharrazi serves as the Executive Director of Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB), a 501(c) 3 national nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen the Iranian diaspora community and empower

Episode 6: Pirronne Yousefzadeh

Oct 5th, 2018 43m 9s

Pirronne Yousefzadeh is an Iranian-American Brooklyn based theatre arts director, writer, and educator working to deepen communication between audience and artform, spotlighting new narratives, identities and cultures while mentoring the next g

Episode 7: Reza Fakhari

Oct 5th, 2018 36m 31s

From educating for religious pluralism and inclusive citizenship to advocating for international human rights, educator and Amnesty International board member Reza Fakhari emphasizes equitable and inclusive community engagement.

Episode 8: Azadeh Shahshahani

Oct 5th, 2018 28m 12s

As the Legal & Advocacy Director for Project South, Azadeh Shahshahani works to protect the human rights of immigrants and Muslim, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities in the American South.

Episode 9: Parto Aram

Oct 5th, 2018 30m 42s

Parto Aram founded Inspire-Tech in 2010 – a non-profit organization working to bring equity in the technology sector. Following 15 years of experience in the high-tech field as a computer hardware designer and marketing manager, Parto establish

Episode 1: Subhi Nahas

Mar 9th, 2017 14m 30s

A Syrian refugee in San Francisco works to educate communities in the Middle East about LGBTQ rights issues, while teaching people here in the West about what it means to be a Middle Eastern refugee.

Episode 2: Alia Shawkat

Mar 9th, 2017 10m 39s

Iraqi-American actress Alia Shawkat became famous for her roles as Maeby Fünke in the award-winning T.V. show Arrested Development. Now she’s using her platform in Hollywood to show millennials a different side of women and Arabs on television.

Episode 3: Maz Jobrani

Mar 9th, 2017 10m 59s

We go to West Hollywood to see how comedy can be a tool to educate people and dispel ugly myths about the Middle East diaspora.

Episode 4: Sulyman Qardash

Mar 9th, 2017 13m 10s

The singer of Afghanistan’s first rock band, now an immigrant in Oakland, California, talks about how music can bring communities together.

Episode 5: Atossa Soltani

Mar 9th, 2017 13m 5s

An Iranian immigrant loses her heart in the Amazon Rainforest when she realizes community goes beyond diaspora, community is global.

Episode 6: Yalda Modabber

Mar 9th, 2017 11m 20s

An Iranian immigrant is creating a new generation of mindful change-makers inside of a Farsi-language preschool in Berkeley, California.

Episode 7: Neda Nobari

Mar 9th, 2017 13m 21s

An Iranian immigrant who became a millionaire in the U.S. is using her resources to support arts, education and podcasts like this one, that help create understanding about the Middle East diaspora.