Episode 12: Series on Dating, Part 1 - with Guest Narine Galstian

Award-winning author, feminist, and activist Nancy Agabian, speaks about her groundbreaking novel, The Fear of Large and Small Nations. Steeped in rich literary prose, this semi-autobiographical story centers around a bisexual diasporan Armenian woman and her experiences in modern-day Armenia as a simultaneous insider & outsider to the culture of her homeland.

Purchase your copy here: The Fear of Large and Small Nations 

You can reach Nancy at her website: NancyAgabian.com

Armenian-American Olympic gymnast, Houry Gebeshian, speaks about her unlikely path to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Beyond her positive, upbeat attitude, what comes through most powerfully is her unwavering belief in herself - something most of us could stand to emulate! No stranger to hard work, she is dedicated to improving the status of female gymnasts in Armenia and to recruiting other Armenian-American gymnasts to compete on behalf of the motherland.

You can reach Houry at @FullOutRecruit on IG as well as her company website www.fulloutrecruit.com

 

On the precipice of the 2024 Election year (in the U.S.), LGBTQ & Trans rights are in the crosshairs of the alt-right, political conservatives, and hate groups alike -- both nationally and locally. In Los Angeles, the convergence of Armenian & Latino communities with the religious far right has placed queer members of both directly at the center of the storm. In this episode, Erik Adamian, president of GALAS (LGBTQ+ Armenian Society of Los Angeles) speaks about the fight over inclusive curricula in California schools; the misconceptions about what is actually being taught; and the cultural immigrant histories that lie at the heart of the opposition's fear.

You can reach GALAS directly at www.galasla.org

We couldn't be more excited about the release of the very first book (that we know of), featuring a bisexual Armenian woman as its protagonist - by a major publication house, no less! Sorry, Bro is the debut novel from Armenian-American author Taleen Voskuni. The central themes, which include struggling with Armenianness in the diaspora and coming to terms with one's burgeoning sexual identity, are deftly interwoven with a light-hearted touch and comedic accuracy. This is the type of fun and fast-paced story that makes for a perfect vacation read. Its accessibility is its secret weapon. We look forward to her next novel, Lavash At First Sight, coming out next summer.

Taleen can be reached on her website TaleenVoskuni.com

IG @taleenauthor

Twitter @taleenvoskuni

The causes of addiction have been pondered for ages, but there is an ever-growing consensus that a sense of belonging (or lack thereof) may play an important role, particularly in its inception. It is at once intangible and deeply personal, bringing to bear individual sensitivities and perspectives. In this episode, we discuss Srab's experience of growing up as an Armenian in England and how that led him down a difficult path, resulting in his own bout with addiction, but ultimately resulted in not only his healing, but into fully claiming his true identity.

You can reach Srab on IG @mancunian_bars / FB @srabmancunian

Or on his website Transformative-Healing.com

And on YouTube Mancunian Bars

Co-Hosts Lara Vanian-Green and Armen Menechyan have an unscripted, free-flowing discussion on the topic of grief & joy: their interconnectedness, the importance of experiencing both, and how sharing them unites us inextricably as one fabric of humanity. This episode is Part 2 of that talk.

Armen Menechyan is the owner of Pur Joy Yoga in Hollywood, California @purjoyoga

Co-Hosts Lara Vanian-Green and Armen Menechyan have an unscripted, free-flowing discussion on the topic of grief & joy: their interconnectedness, the importance of experiencing both, and how sharing them unites us inextricably as one fabric of humanity. This episode is Part 1 of that talk.

Armen Menechyan is the owner of Pur Joy Yoga in Hollywood, California @purjoyoga

Recently, I heard someone refer to New Year's Resolutions as New Year's Revolutions - and I'm all in! In this episode, we introduce Tigran Grigoryan's brand new dance exercise program - think of it as Zumba but with music you would hear at an Armenian wedding! It's suitable for all ages & abilities and will have different dance moves for men and women (just like traditional Armenian dance). So, if you're in the mood to try something new, join me in dancing the night away! Tig has generously provided our listeners with a 10% discount code, just enter APARM at checkout.

Happy New Year! Thank you for being part of our Armenian Enough family. May 2022 be your best year yet.

Sign up for Arrii Parrii at www.arriiparrii.com

And follow them on IG @arriiparrii

 

In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be a "Main Dater" on the first ever Armenian dating show. Vanessa and Shant talk about some of the most anxiety-inducing moments on camera as well as what they have learned, not only about dating, but also about themselves as a result of participating in this groundbreaking social experiment. The Armenian Dating Show is full of cultural treasures. Chief among them is the representation of Armenians who don't necessarily fit the traditional mold but whose genuine dedication to their heritage shines through at every turn.

You can watch The Armenian Dating Show on their website at www.TheArmenianDatingShow.com

Or on YouTube @Miaseen,Inc.

Vanessa can be reached on IG @vanessaveee

Shant can be reached on IG @shanti_manti

The Armenian Dating Show is one of those ideas whose time has (thankfully) come! Showcasing a variety of diasporan Armenians is arguably the hallmark of our podcast - but the sheer array of different  expressions of being Armenian is also a truth that emerges from the singles, whose dating lives we catch a glimpse of on the show. The genuine care on behalf of cast & crew alike allows for the vulnerable reality of a first blind-date to be captured and experienced vicariously through the safety of our screens. The Armenian Dating Show feels authentic and honest in a way that harkens more to documentary filmmaking than to what we have come to expect of so-called reality television. Beautifully shot and edited, the series feels nothing like a YouTube show, and everything like a Netflix show you might binge watch with friends over the weekend!

You can reach The Armenian Dating Show at www.TheArmenianDatingShow.com

And on IG @thearmeniandatingshow and @miaseen_inc