Roqe Ep. 374 - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi: Legacy, Loss, and the Future of Iran

A fragile ceasefire. A fractured people. And a pressing question: What now? On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi leads a probing conversation about the aftermath of the Israel–Islamic Republic conflict, and what it has revealed about the state of Iranians today — politically, emotionally, and spiritually. While Trump, Netanyahu, and Khamenei claim “victory,” the Iranian people face a resurgence of crackdowns and internal division. Panel guests include: – Bahador Alast, popular YouTuber and commentator – Picasso Moin, athlete and social observer (from Istanbul) – Sadeq Bigdeli, lawyer and political analyst (from Toronto) Plus, psychotherapist and PTSD expert Shirin Amani Azeri joins the show for an intimate and powerful look at the psychological toll of the past two weeks.

In this urgent and emotional edition of Roqe, host Jian Ghomeshi opens a new series exploring the human impact of the fast-escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recorded on June 18th, 2025 — amidst rapidly shifting events — this episode amplifies Iranian voices from both inside the country and across the diaspora. Guests include: Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi (“Dr. Kay”) in New York, a physician receiving messages from hundreds of Iranians on the ground Kamyar Mahinsa, a longtime police officer and influential voice on Iranian social media, joining from Vancouver Nik Kowsar, celebrated cartoonist, journalist, and advocate, speaking from Washington, D.C. Roqe contributors Pegah Ganji and Anahita Nayebi, reflecting on grief, diaspora guilt, family, and hope This episode marks the beginning of The Israel–Iran War: Voices of Iranians — a continuing Roqe series documenting the thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences of Iranians during this unprecedented crisis. If you disagree with something you hear, stay tuned — more voices and perspectives are coming. This is not an echo chamber. This is a space for humanity, nuance, and truth-seeking.

Two powerful Iranian-Canadian stories — both interviews conducted in Persian. First, Milad Taherzadeh (aka @miladbeauty) opens up publicly for the first time at a live Roqe Hub event, sharing his harrowing journey as an LGBTQ person growing up and pursuing a career in style and makeup in Mashhad and fleeing Iran. Then, entrepreneur Navid Badiei joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to talk about rebuilding his life from scratch and creating one of Canada’s most beloved Persian restaurants, Shamshiri. Follow @RoqeMedia and @JianGhomeshi Subscribe for more episodes. Episode supported by: @grazingdelice | @twoar.t | @oxygenbotanicals | @aliapastry #IranianDiaspora #RefugeeStories #PersianPodcast #MiladBeauty #Shamshiri #Roqe

On this episode of Roqe, acclaimed Iranian-Canadian comedian Neema Naz returns to the studio for a candid and celebratory conversation in the middle of his world tour. After receiving a major boost from megastar Drake, Neema has gone from social media sensation to global performer, sharing stages with comedy legends like Russell Peters and Howie Mandel. He opens up about the pressure of success, his acting ambitions, and staying grounded through it all. Plus, Jian begins the show with a powerful opening essay marking the start of Pride Month — contrasting the joy of LGBTQ celebrations in the West with the brutal persecution faced by LGBTQ people in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recorded in Toronto. Presented by Roqe Media. This episode comes to you with the generous support of Tika, Famlixy and Novvanguard.

In this special edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi sits down with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for a rare and revealing conversation - one of his first ever in-studio interviews in Canada. Recorded at the Roqe Studio in Toronto, this 75-minute exchange spans the personal, political, and philosophical. From the Crown Prince’s Five-Point Strategy for supporting grassroots resistance in Iran, to the growing wave of trucker strikes disrupting the regime’s infrastructure, to his reflections on cultural censorship and Jafar Panahi’s win at Cannes, to his fiercest detractors - this is a candid, honest, and wide-ranging discussion. Also on the table: legacy, identity, personal loss, criticism, exile, and the emotional toll of four decades of upheaval. Subtitled in Persian for global accessibility.

In this edition of Roqe, two Iranian-Canadian visionaries share their insights on building ideas into impact. First, Jian speaks with Babak Khodaparast — a young inventor, entrepreneur, and President of the National Inventors Team of Canada — about thriving in what he calls the “Invention Economy.” From clean-tech to startup incubation, Babak explains why creativity, adaptability, and innovation are the ultimate skill sets in an unpredictable future. Then, highlights from a feature on-stage interview at Ideas at the Roqe Hub with Hamed Azimi — legal-tech entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist — who offers a bold critique of how professionals market themselves in the digital age. Are we spending too much and thinking too little when it comes to strategy? Hamed breaks it down. A double feature on building, branding, and the new economy.

Iranian singer, dancer, and activist Saba Zameni was once jailed in Iran for doing what many of us take for granted — expressing herself through music and movement. Now based in Canada, she has emerged as a rising voice in the global Iranian community, with a fast-growing online presence and a story that resonates with audiences around the world. In this special episode, recorded live as part of the ‘Ideas at the Roqe Hub’ series in Toronto, Saba performs on stage and joins Jian for an extended and emotional conversation about her time in prison, her family’s support, the power of art as protest — and what freedom really means. With her mother and sister in the front row, this is one of our most moving and unforgettable recordings. (Note: interview is conducted mostly in Persian) This episode of Roqe is brought to you with the support of Grazing Delice, Apadana Entertainment and Diora Jewels. #SabaZameni #IranianWomen #FreedomOfExpression #WomenLifeFreedom #IranianArtist #PersianMusic #RoqeMedia #JianGhomeshi #LiveAtRoqeHub #DiasporaVoices

In this new edition of Roqe – recorded live at the Roqe Hub – we explore the science, psychology, and shifting cultural standards of beauty with Dr. Amir Rouzati, a leading figure in the world of aesthetic medicine. In a wide-ranging talk followed by a candid and thought-provoking - and, at times challenging - on-stage interview with Jian, Dr. Rouzati unpacks how the human brain perceives beauty, why symmetry and proportion still hold evolutionary power, and how social media and global forces are reshaping our aesthetic ideals. From biology to Botox, from ancient instincts to modern influencers, this is a fascinating look at what beauty means today – and why it matters more than we might admit. Plus, Jian kicks the show off with a stirring essay aimed at non-Iranians about why the Persian Gulf should never be renamed.

In the wake of Canada’s latest federal election, Jian hosts a timely and incisive roundtable exploring what the results reveal about Iranian-Canadian political identity and influence. With the Liberal Party securing a minority government and traditional voting patterns shifting, this special episode of Roqe asks: How did Iranian-Canadians vote this time, what drove the changes, and what might the new government mean for Canada’s approach to the Islamic Republic of Iran? Joining Jian for this in-depth conversation are four sharp and diverse voices: longtime Liberal strategist Maryam Azari from Vancouver; author and activist Mehrdad Loghmani; international law expert and ICANN founder Sadeq Bigdeli; and veteran journalist and Persian Mirror editor-in-chief Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati. From divided loyalties to diaspora awakening, this episode digs into the complexities-and consequences-of a maturing political voice.

A new episode of Roqe including a feature interview and performance with popular Iranian-Canadian musician and podcaster King Raam - recorded live in front of an audience as part of the ‘Ideas at the Roqe Hub’ series. Raam joins Jian to open up about the horrific experience of losing his father - killed in Evin prison in Iran - and the detainment of his mother just a few years ago, and finding meaning after loss. It is an emotional, powerful and, at times, very funny conversation that includes a couple of songs. Plus Jian opens the show with an essay called, “It’s Time for Iranians to Take Copyright Seriously” - a monologue - with a new show in Iran debuting called....wait for it..."Roqe"(!) - that tackles the deep-rooted disregard for copyright and intellectual property in Iranian culture — from pirated films to unpaid music legends like Farid Zoland and authors like Iraj Pezeshkzad.