Episodes

  • Roqe Ep. 342 - Reza Rohani & Sara Naeini, + Ode to Coldplay

    Roqe Ep. 342 - Reza Rohani & Sara Naeini, + Ode to Coldplay
    Oct 18 2024
    A brand new edition of Roqe featuring a dynamic and compelling powerhouse duo in Iranian popular music. Iranian-American singer Sara Naeini and Iranian-American composer, producer, and pianist Reza Rohani join Jian live in the Roqe studio for an in-depth conversation about their music, the viral videos that have taken the internet by storm, and the unique chemistry that fuels their performances both on and off stage. Plus, Jian kicks off the show with an ode to the British band Coldplay, and their Iranian connection, and Pegah and Jian discuss the cultural significance of Mehregan.
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    1 hr
  • Roqe Ep. 341 - Max Jamali, Cyrus International Film Fest

    Roqe Ep. 341 - Max Jamali, Cyrus International Film Fest
    Oct 10 2024
    A new edition of Roqe featuring award-winning photographer and mixed-media luxury artist, Max Jamali. Max joins Jian live in the Roqe Studio for a conversation about his art, his business approach, and his popular events and exhibitions. Later, Iranian-Canadian film expert and CEO of the Cyrus International Film Festival, Dr. Amir Ganjavie, along with Executive Director Dr. Javad Panah, join Jian to discuss a festival that has grown in stature and prominence, showcasing hundreds of films from Iran, by Iranians, and by other Middle Eastern and diverse voices over the years. This weekend, Oct 12-14, marks the latest incarnation of the Cyrus Fest. Plus, Pegah and Jian discuss the existential question of unity among the Iranian diaspora, the struggles of getting camera-ready for this season of Roqe.
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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 340 - Roqe Live 3 - Live in Thornhill, Canada - Sept 27, 2024

    Roqe Ep. 340 - Roqe Live 3 - Live in Thornhill, Canada - Sept 27, 2024
    Oct 2 2024
    Roqe Live 3 - FULL SHOW AUDIO - recorded live at City Playhouse Theatre in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada - Sept 27th, 2024. Featuring Jian Ghomeshi, Pegah Ganji, Nooshafarin, Anousha, Solmaz Barghir. Performances by Arian and Sara, Golrokh Aminian, Nooshafarin and Ghazal Akhoondzadeh. And a special presentation of the Roqe Media Icon Award to legendary Shahbal Shabpareh with special guest, Babak Amini.
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    2 hrs and 1 min
  • Roqe Ep. 339 - Namito, Roundup: IRI at the UN

    Roqe Ep. 339 - Namito, Roundup: IRI at the UN
    Sep 27 2024
    A brand new edition of Roqe featuring a rare interview with popular Iranian-German DJ and music producer, Namito. Namito joins Jian in the new Roqe Studio for a comprehensive chat about everything from the evolving status of DJs (from anonymous record-spinners to the new global rock stars) to his remarkable story of fleeing Iran by himself at the age of 13 and joining a commune in Germany. Also, Pegah is in studio at the top of the episode and Jian makes an impassioned case against allowing Pezeshkian and the IRI to “normalize” their image on a trip to New York and the UN. Note: the entire episodes of Roqe are now on video as well as audio at our YouTube channel!
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 338 - Season 6 Launch! - Armin Amiri, Bahar Eslami & Mona Hasanzadeh

    Roqe Ep. 338 - Season 6 Launch! - Armin Amiri, Bahar Eslami & Mona Hasanzadeh
    Sep 20 2024
    A new season of Roqe kicks off with Episode 338 in our brand new studio. Iranian-American actor and producer Armin Amiri joins Jian live in the studio, for a chat about everything from his time as a refugee to the delicate dance of nude scenes in the Sex in the City sequel. Then co-founders of Divan Events, popular Iranian-Canadian fashion blogger Bahar Eslami and successful event planner Mona Hassanzadeh also arrive in the new Roqe space for an interview. Plus, Pegah joins Jian for the first Roqe Roundup of the season for a discussion about emotions around the second anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini, and what to make of Trump vs Harris and immigrants eating pets.
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    2 hrs and 5 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 337 - The 1906 Constitutional Revolution in Iran (Redux)

    Roqe Ep. 337 - The 1906 Constitutional Revolution in Iran (Redux)
    Aug 30 2024
    A summer repeat edition of one of our favourite episodes of Roqe as we prepare to launch our new season. In the early 20th Century, in the midst of widespread discontent with the corruption and inefficacy of the Qajar Dynasty, a powerful movement formed and mobilized in Iran, aimed at changing the structure of the monarchy from despotic to constitutional, and to adopt representative governance by introducing the country to a parliamentary system. The Constitutional Revolution is considered a major turning point in the formation of modern Iran. Dr. Ali Massoud Ansari, a Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St. Andrews, joins Jian from Fife, Scotland, to discuss what gave rise to the constitutionalists, the turbulent five year period in which the Constitution was established, and the unmet revolutionary goals of liberal secularism, parliamentary democracy, the containment of clerical dominance, and the limiting of the power of the monarchy, in the aftermath of the 1906 Revolution and the century that followed. Plus Pegah and Jian talk about Roqe Live 3, the launch of a new season of Roqe coming soon…and Jian’s time in England sleeping on a very small couch.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Roqe Ep.336 - The Evolution of Persian Music (redux)

    Roqe Ep.336 - The Evolution of Persian Music (redux)
    Aug 22 2024
    A summer repeat edition of one of our favourite episodes of Roqe as we prepare to launch our new season. What was Persian music before the 20th Century? How do we assess the development of sound and musical traditions in Iran during the Safavid and Qajar eras - important influences that may be heard all the way to today? American musician and ethnomusicologist, Dr. Margaret Caton, author of the book, “A Persian Ode: Musical Life in Safavid and Qajar Iran,” joins Jian from Los Angeles for a fascinating, entertaining, and non-traditional journey through the sounds and music of Persia in the periods leading to modern Iran, examined within a broader socio-economic, cultural and political context. - This was originally posted as part of the Contemporary History of Iran series from Roqe Media.
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    57 mins
  • Roqe Ep.335 - Iranians and Automobiles!

    Roqe Ep.335 - Iranians and Automobiles!
    Aug 15 2024
    On this episode we once again explore the Persian preoccupation with cars and status with a fun-driving edition. Jian is joined by two very popular experts in the field of cars and Iranians - Vahid Amirimoghaddam of the "Cars I Have Driven" channel (Montreal), and Ali Bekhradi of the "Garage Bekhradi" YouTube/Instagram site (Houston) - to discuss all things auto obsession, from a Mercedes fixation to the vehicular expectations of a nation. Plus Jian announces the lineup and ticket information for Roqe Live 3(!) and about early bird discounts for those listening to the show.
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    1 hr and 10 mins