Armenian Enough

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

The task of discovering our individual identity is made that much more challenging when our very foundation is built upon shifting sands. Yasmin was raised by a Christian-Armenian mother and Muslim-Syrian father who emigrated to the United States when Yasmin was a child. In the midst of the push & pull of competing cultures, religious beliefs, and societal expectations, they were able to forge an identity uniquely theirs. Yasmin's confidence is as compelling as her vulnerability is disarming - truly, a model for us all.

You can reach Yasmin on their website www.yasminalmo.com

IG @yassayassayassa

One of the most meaningful things we can do with our one precious life on Earth is to leave this world better than we found it. Bravery born of love & compassion is the fuel that powers revolutions. In this case, a food & lifestyle innovation that enriches humans and animals alike, for the good of both. VegCheese is an artisanal plant-based cheese company founded by Lori Sroujian and run by her entire family, showcasing healthy vegan foods which sacrifice neither taste nor culinary pleasure.

Find out more about VegCheese at VegCheese.com

Follow VegCheese on IG @VegCheese

Do the people currently living on ancestral Armenian lands give any thought to the indigenous people of that land? Do they know they're living on Armenian soil, where countless generations of our people lived and loved and perished? How much thought do we give to the indigenous people of the land we call home today? Kya's Aboriginal roots provide a rich framework within which to explore their recently discovered Armenian DNA. Kya's curiosity of and reverence for history and tradition inspires us all to pause and ponder our own unique cultural legacy.

You can reach Kya on FB @kyabranch

Serving up truth with humor is an insidious and brilliant way to make oneself understood on the most intimate level. Humor is a balm to our weary souls. I, for one, wouldn't want to live in a world without it. By the same token, it takes a heady mix of genuine confidence and vulnerability to be able to laugh at oneself in earnest. Mary Basmadjian, on her own and through her iconic characters, is skilled at bringing audiences into her world and through that lens, allowing us all to gain a fresh perspective of both our culture and our place in it.

If you haven't seen her perform live, find out where she will be performing next and go!

www.MaryBasmadjianComedy.com

IG @marybasmadjian / FB @marybasmadjian / Twitter @marybasmadjian / TikTok @marybasmadjian

This episode provides a behind-the-curtains view of my most cherished relationship, the one with my only child. Hear her speak candidly about her life, her mother, and her internal sense of not feeling Armenian enough. (That last one kind of broke my heart a little.) With vulnerability and an abundance of compassion each of us can model what belonging and enough-ness really looks like in our own lives so that everyone understands on the deepest level that they, too, are a part of our tribe.

Samantha's YouTube channels include Sammy's Dream World and Chillin' With Samantha

Our greatest freedom lies in the full acceptance of who we genuinely are, even if the world at large fails to understand or endorse our unique individuality. From that vantage point, so much is revealed about the veneer of society's rules and trappings. With humor, bluster, and at times, great vulnerability, Paul speaks about their undying love for all things Armenian, the beauty in making peace with death and the path to a unified future.

You can reach Paul on IG @deadskull and @deadskullcurio

 

What is it like to be Jewish and Armenian? Aside from inheriting intergenerational trauma from both sides, it is also something that has provided Alyssa with a unique view of both communities. More of a New Yorker than an "American," Alyssa explores how her upbringing has provided her access to two distinct and oftentimes insular worlds, as well as how her family's history has shown her that it can be even more advantageous to be a citizen of the world.

You can reach Alyssa on Twitter @AlyssaZakaryan

Or on LinkedIn

And you can watch her YouTube channel Social Work Tarotist

Representation matters. It allows us a glimpse into the world of possibilities and rescues us from societal erasure. It's difficult to put into words how it felt to see actors on the big screen either speaking Armenian or telling the story of our ancestors who survived the Genocide... never did it cross my mind that the queer Armenian experience would also make it to the silver screen one day.

Filmmaker Natalie Shirinian tells the story of her own coming out to her Armenian mother, in her new short film Parev Mama. 

You can buy tickets to watch Parev Mama online here: https://www.goelevent.com/InsideOut/e/ShortsLongStoryShort

You can reach Natalie on IG @natalie_shirinian

Read her food blog Femme On Feast

Connect to her production company NES Films

 

The old adage of laughter being the best medicine still holds true - laughter strengthens the immune system and boosts feel-good chemicals in our brain. Good comedy is funny because it's true... or at least, there's a healthy dose of truth in it. Through his comedy, Andy gently pokes fun at Armenian (and other) stereotypes and provides poignant social commentary. Watch it with a friend!

You can reach Andy on IG @andykenareki

His linktree there provides links to his YouTube channel AndyKComedy and his brand new Cudee Pie merch!

The passion required for sustained activism is one that is born neither of blood nor soil, but a deep inner conviction in one's soul that each of us is ultimately responsible for bringing about justice in the world. The source of righteous anger is love. It has always been love.

Hear Aram talk about his quintessentially American upbringing, the pull toward his Armenian roots, and the evolution of his activism.

You can reach Aram on IG @aram_bowen

Links to organizations discussed in this episode include: IG @armenianunityproject and @agbu_ypgny as well as www.coaf.org