Welcome Back to Haytoug Talks!

Armenian artist Tro Khayalian (@abstract_tro) joins hosts Araxi and Hovig to discuss his captivating metal sculptures and abstract paintings. Working in his auto mechanic shop, he transforms discarded scrap metal, car parts, and silverware into emotionally expressive, intricate sculptures. Tune in to hear him discuss how he imbues his Armenian culture and emotion into his art.

Join @theoudplayer Antranig Kzirian as he walks us through the Armenian-American history, cultural significance, evolution, of one of the most iconic Armenian instruments: the oud. Even better, stay tuned to listen to him play and sing for our hosts and Haytoug Talks podcast listeners. This is a great episode, listen and even watch on Spotify or Youtube!

In honor of International Women's Month and the launch of our special women-themed "Hayouhi" magazine, we sat down with an expert on the domestic violence law in Armenia. Lori Pirinjian is conducting her PhD at UCLA, focusing on the evolution of the domestic violence law and its impact on Armenian women. She's witnessed numerous court cases, volunteered with the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women, and conducted field work and interviews with key players in Armenia. Tune in to learn about the origins of the domestic violence law, its evolution, the cultural attitudes towards women, awareness efforts, impactful anecdotes, and how we can help protect Armenian women.

Part 2 of our How To Spend Your Summer in Armenia series! On today's episode, we dive into Youth Corps: a 6 week long summer day camp program hosted in villages throughout Armenia. During the program, participants live with a host family, strengthen ties with Armenian youth, and explore the homeland. Listen to Unger David share his life-changing experience and find out why you should sign up to be a counselor this summer! Applications close Sunday March 1st, 2026!

Part 1 of our How to Spend Your Summer in Armenia series! First up is Birthright Armenia: an immersive volunteer program that brings in diasporan Armenians from all around the globe to work, explore, and bond in the homeland. Learn all about the incredible experience from two recent participants, Ungers Greg and Hovig.

The wait is finally over! Welcome back to a brand new season of Haytoug Talks, the official podcast of the AYF West. Your new cohosts Hovig and Araxi are excited to usher in a new era of casual, fun episodes alongside the classic Haytoug-style collection of Armenian experts and fascinating topics. Best of all, you can check out our Instagram @haytougtalks for video clips of each episode hosted in our brand new studio!

In our final episode of our second Artsakh Series, we once again speak with our fellow AYF Alum, Artsakh Repat, and Founder of the Lorik Humanitarian Fund, Shant Charshafjian, where we reflect on the resilience of a people displaced but not defeated. Shant, like so many others, shares in this struggle of our displaced people—not just for his family, but for his community, for our people, for our Artsakh. In the face of unimaginable loss, he walks alongside the Artsakhtsis, helping them rebuild their lives in Armenia while holding on to the hope of one day returning home. This is not a story of heroes, but of collective resistance and unyielding determination. As we mark a year since the fall of Artsakh, we are reminded that this struggle is far from over. Together, we stand resilient, ready to continue the fight for justice, for memory, and for our Artsakh.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Edgar Elbakyan, a political scientist and social thinker based in Yerevan. He is a co-founder of the 'Armenian Project', a non-profit organization which contributes to enhancing Armenian national civil society. Together we explore the deep-rooted challenges facing Armenia today. As we unravel the concept of 'learned helplessness' and its societal impact, Edgar shares thought-provoking insights on reclaiming agency, fostering national resilience, and overcoming defeatist narratives. Together, we discuss how Armenians can break free from these mental chains, drawing strength from their history and identity to shape a stronger future for our Nation.

For small nations like ours, positioned between East and West, the media's role in our geopolitics can be a powerful force that many may overlook. These countries often become arenas for competing narratives, where major powers use media to sway opinions and justify their actions. This can distort the nation’s reality, marginalizing voices like those of Artsakh and making it harder to gain authentic support. In this episode, we discuss the importance of media narratives, funding, and literacy with AYF alum Dickran Khodanian, an independent journalist who's been on the ground in Armenia and Artsakh, witnessing the unfolding events firsthand.

Welcome to the second episode of our second Artsakh series, where we continue our critical conversation on the challenges facing Armenians today. In this episode, we reconnect with Alex Galitsky, who’s transitioned from ANC Western Region to ANC DC since our last discussion during the 2020 war. We'll dive into the complexities of advocacy work in Washington, D.C., the uphill battle against geopolitical interests, and the tireless efforts to support Artsakh and its people. Stay tuned as we explore the strategies, frustrations, and hope that drive this ongoing struggle. To learn more about the ANCA and their ongoing projects and programs, check out their site in our linktree. And make sure to follow them on social media to stay informed and engaged for the latest updates and ways to get involved in supporting Artsakh.