Roqe Ep. 440 - IRAN RISES - We Are Not Okay - Melica Bokaie, Bahador Alast

In the midst of revolution, repression, emotional exhaustion, and political uncertainty, is it still okay to laugh? On this edition of Roqe, Jian sits down with two Iranian content creators and comedians who have built large audiences through satire, parody, viral videos, standup, and social media commentary while also openly supporting the Lion and Sun Revolution against the Islamic Republic regime. Joining Jian are: Amir Arfa - political satirist and creator behind @expatsunleashed - from Los Angeles Pouya Comedy - Iranian standup comic and online creator - from Zurich, Switzerland Together they discuss the role of humour during times of crisis, why tyrants fear satire, whether comedy can become resistance, how Iranian audiences have changed over the past year, and the challenge of balancing outrage, grief, identity, and laughter in the Iranian diaspora right now. But first, Jian opens the episode with an essay titled “DEAL OR NO DEAL - We Will Not Stop” - reflecting on the breaking reports of a possible Trump-Islamic Republic agreement and why, regardless of geopolitics or diplomacy, supporters of freedom and democracy in Iran must continue speaking out and reminding the world exactly what the Islamic Republic regime is. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes Avoca Chocolates

Why has the war not resumed? Why has a deal not been reached? And what exactly is happening during this strange and uneasy silence between the Islamic Republic and the West? On this edition of Roqe, Jian is joined by Lisa Daftari in Los Angeles and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Washington DC for a deeper examination of the prolonged pause following the ceasefire. Is the regime buying time? Is the West hesitating? And for millions of Iranians hoping for regime change, what does this uncertain in-between moment actually tell us about the future? But first, in the aftermath of Arsenal F.C. winning their first Premier League title in 22 years this week, Jian opens the episode with a deeply personal tribute to Aref Jafarzadeh - an Iranian Arsenal supporter from Rasht who was reportedly killed by Islamic Republic forces during the January 2026 protests while still wearing his Arsenal jersey. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com

After months of rallies, emotional highs, hopes for revolution, fears of war, endless political debates, and now growing uncertainty once again, many Iranians are simply exhausted. On this 440th edition of Roqe - “IRAN RISES - We Are Not Okay” - Jian Ghomeshi explores the emotional and psychological toll the last five months have taken on Iranians around the world. In his opening essay, “WE ARE NOT OKAY AFTER THIS,” Jian reflects on the exhaustion, uncertainty, fragmentation, and emotional whiplash many people are quietly carrying after months of living inside the Iran Rises movement. Then, Jian is joined by Melica Bokaie - traveller, creator, and storyteller joining us from Nayarit, Mexico - and returning Roqe contributor Bahador Alast in Toronto for an honest and thoughtful conversation about identity, burnout, hope, fear, division within the diaspora, and the emotional aftermath of the Iran Rises period. At the same time, the discussion also asks whether, beneath all the exhaustion and uncertainty, there are still reasons for optimism - and whether the last five months may have permanently changed the political and emotional landscape for Iranians everywhere. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes @QuasarHomes Avoca Chocolates avocachocolates.com

Roqe Ep.439 - Can China Decide Iran’s Future? As Donald Trump meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, Iran is quietly becoming one of the most consequential subjects behind closed doors. On this edition of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay entitled “The Regime Is Not Surviving Alone” - a provocative look at how China has become one of the Islamic Republic’s most important economic lifelines, and why the future of Iran may now depend not only on what happens in Tehran, but also in Beijing. Then, a deep-dive panel on China’s role in sustaining - or potentially reshaping - the future of the Islamic Republic. Joining Jian: Shayan Sami’i - U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert - Vienna, Virginia Dr. Shahram Kholdi - historian, political analyst, and expert on modern Iranian politics - Southwestern Ontario Topics include: China’s economic relationship with the Islamic Republic Iranian oil exports and sanctions evasion Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping Whether Beijing sees Tehran as ally or asset China’s leverage over the regime The geopolitical future of the Lion & Sun Revolution Whether revolutions in 2026 are fought not only in the streets - but also through oil contracts, trade routes, and global alliances This episode is supported by: Stellar Law https://stellarlaw.ca Famluxy https://famluxy.com

Do we return to “normal” - or not yet? For many Iranians in the diaspora, recent months have been marked by trauma, war, executions, fear for loved ones, and a collective decision to pause parts of ordinary life out of solidarity with those suffering inside Iran. But as exhaustion sets in, an important question emerges: how do people remain engaged in a long struggle without losing themselves entirely to grief? On Episode 438 of Roqe - Iran Rises, Jian Ghomeshi hosts a thoughtful conversation about grief, resilience, burnout, creativity, activism, and the emotional balancing act facing Iranians around the world. Joining Jian: Kamyar Mahinsa - influencer and law enforcement expert - Vancouver Dr. Sepehr Vakil - scholar and author - Chicago Dr. Laleh Tangsiri - human rights advocate - Bournemouth, UK Seena Ghaznavi - podcaster and comedian - Los Angeles The episode opens with Jian’s essay, “What Exactly Are You Defending?” - a direct response to those who continue to romanticize or defend the Islamic Republic while Iran remains one of the execution capitals of the world. The essay follows the execution of 29-year-old Erfan Shakourzadeh in Karaj and confronts the moral contradictions surrounding support for the regime. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi. This episode is supported by: @Quasarhomes Avoca Chocolates

Roqe Ep. 437 - IRAN RISES - The Lion & Sun Revolution: Stalled or Still Alive? As the movement against the Islamic Republic enters a more uncertain and psychologically complicated phase, many Iranians are asking a difficult question: has the revolutionary momentum toward regime change stalled… or is this simply the messy middle chapter that revolutions often pass through before change arrives? Jian Ghomeshi opens the episode with a poetic essay entitled “We Know Who They Are” - reflecting on why millions of Iranians refuse to normalize or rehabilitate the Islamic Republic after decades of executions, repression, censorship, corruption, and violence. Then, a thoughtful and passionate panel discussion with: Bijan Kian - former U.S. senior official and Iranian-American political and business strategist - joining us from Los Angeles Pantea Modiri - journalist, documentary filmmaker, and former television host - joining us from London Together, they explore morale, media narratives, psychological fatigue, propaganda, leadership, and whether supporters of the Lion & Sun Revolution should feel discouraged right now. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law https://stellarlaw.ca Follow Jian on Instagram: @JianGhomeshi

On this episode of Roqe, a question that sounds like sport… but cuts far deeper. As the World Cup approaches, many Iranians are facing a painful dilemma: does Team Melli represent a nation - or the Islamic Republic regime? In the opening essay, Jian asks a question that has become unavoidable: Who do you cheer for… when your country has been taken from you? Then, a real debate with three voices who do not agree: Vahid Amirimoghaddam joins from Montreal FredUnit202 joins from Toronto Mohammad Manzarpour joins from Washington DC Should Iran be banned from the World Cup? Would participation legitimize the regime - or give Iranians a global platform? And what does it mean when even football becomes political? This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes - https://instagram.com/quasarhomes Famluxy - https://famluxy.com

Roqe Ep.435 - IRAN RISES - Who Benefits from the Delay? - Shayan Sami’i, Picasso Moin The regime wants you to think it’s over - it’s not. On this episode, Jian opens with a message to those declaring the Iranian uprising finished, making the case that this narrative risks amplifying the regime’s messaging at a critical moment. Then, a panel examining the current pause in confrontation between the United States and the Islamic Republic, and the central question: Who benefits from the delay? Jian is joined by Shayan Sami’i (Washington DC area), a national security analyst, and Picasso Moin (Istanbul), activist and commentator. The conversation covers the regime’s strategy, mounting economic pressure, diaspora momentum, the Berlin rally, and Canada’s recent move denying entry to a regime-linked official connected to a FIFA event. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Quasar Homes - @quasarhomes

We miss the voices of Iran. In this episode, Jian opens with a poetic and powerful essay on the impact of the Iranian regime’s internet blackouts - not only as a violation of human rights, but as a loss of connection, clarity, and direction for millions outside the country who have been inspired by those inside it. The conversation then turns to the role of alternative media at a critical moment. With mainstream coverage of Iran widely criticized as incomplete, biased, or misframed, what responsibility falls on independent platforms? Can alternative media remain objective - or is it inherently advocacy? And is there still an obligation to “both sides” the story? Jian is joined by: Nazenin Ansari (London) Kiarash Kian (Toronto) Andy “Aueen” Alem (New York) A sharp and timely discussion on media, narrative power, and the fight to represent the voices of the Iranian people. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes - https://www.instagram.com/quasarhomes/ Famluxy - https://famluxy.com

Jian opens this episode of Roqe with an essay titled “The War Is Changing Us,” reflecting on how the past four months - from the January massacres inside Iran to the current war - have affected Iranians not only inside the country, but across the diaspora. While the realities inside Iran remain the central focus, this conversation examines how millions outside the country are experiencing a different kind of impact - one that is emotional, psychological, and deeply tied to identity, relationships, and community. Jian is joined by Shiva Negar, Satin, and Sadaf Yasini for a panel discussion on how this moment has reshaped their lives, their work, and their connections to others. Topics include the strain on friendships and families, the pressure to take public positions, the role of artists and influencers, and the challenge of staying engaged without becoming overwhelmed. This episode is brought to you with the support of Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca And Avoca Chocolates - https://avocachocolates.com